VULNERABLE small and medium-sized Bury firms can now source vital cash as a key weapon in their fight against crime.

The Secure Bury project, formerly the Business Security Initiative, will provide eligible companies with grants of up to 50 per cent of total costs (to a maximum £2,500) to install and upgrade physical security measures at business premises.

And the project enables businesses to access useful advice and guidance on business security through its key partners Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the Environmental Trust, Groundwork Bury. GMP's crime reduction advisers will conduct a security audit of commercial premises for applicant businesses and put forward recommendations for improving on-site security.

To date, the project has given out £66,691 in grants, which has encouraged businesses to spend £84,715, achieving a total security spend of £151,407.

The money is generally spent on target-hardening measures, alarms, fencing, security locks and bolts for windows and doors, security lighting systems, closed-circuit television, shutters and grilles.

With 36 businesses benefiting, only six of these have been victims of crime since implementing crime reduction advice.

Of those properties improved, very few crimes have been committed since improvement.

To apply for the grants, companies must be classified as a small to medium-sized manufacturer, employ less than 250 people and pay business rates to Bury Council.

Mike West, SRB3 co-ordinator, said: "The Secure Bury initiative is one of the Bury 'Developing the Leading Edge' programme's flagship projects. With the promise of Single Regeneration Budget and European funding support over the year to come, the project can now financially assist even more small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers in the Bury borough.

"In addition, this is an opportunity to build on the excellent working relationships with Greater Manchester Police and Groundwork Bury".