TOWN centre traders in Ribble Valley, who have been targeted by burglars, have received a cash boost to secure their premises.

The top 10 most burgled shops in

Clitheroe, Longridge and Whalley have received £10,000 from the Government's Small Retailers' Initiative.

The money will be used to buy CCTV systems, locks and bolts, and shutters for shops being repeatedly hit by raiders.

The Ribble Valley Crime and Disorder Partnership has identified burglary as one of the main problems in the borough.

Burglary from domestic and commercial premises accounted for 21 per cent of reported crime in the Ribble Valley in 2001.

Fifty-five burglaries of commercial premises in Clitheroe were reported in 2001, as well as 30 in Whalley and 29 in Longridge.

The partnership secured the cash to help meet its target of reducing burglary in the borough by four per cent by 2005.

Partnership spokesman Bill Alker said: "Compared with national levels, all categories of crime and disorder are less prevalent in the Ribble Valley, but while it is important to keep crime levels in perspective there is no room for complacency.

"We are working to ensure that the borough's main shopping areas are not regarded as a soft touch by criminals."

The town centre premises of Clitheroe solicitor John Houldsworth were burgled twice last year and a quantity of computer equipment taken.

He is also chairman of the Clitheroe and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce and said he welcomed the initiative.

He said: "This is a brilliant initiative and the chamber of trade and commerce supports it wholeheartedly. Any initiative that prevents crime has our backing."

Work is also under way on the installation of a CCTV system in Clitheroe and Whalley, which will see 24 closed circuit television cameras erected at various sites in the centres of Clitheroe and Whalley, and the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

The £600,000 scheme will see nine cameras replaced in Clitheroe town centre and an additional 11 installed in Clitheroe and Whalley, as well as four in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

The project was one of only four in the North West to get a share of £79million earmarked by the Government for CCTV projects across the country.