AN industrial estate in Poulton which has been identified as a crime "hot-spot" has started an initiative.

The Poulton Industrial Estate (PIE) Business Watch group was formed following calls by Wyre Community Safety Partnership (WCSP) for all businesses on the estate to help themselves and accept some responsibility towards the long-term reduction in burglary or break-ins.

The group, which currently has 53 members and is still expanding, was kicked off with a £500 cheque from WCSP and is operating a special security patrol seven days a week. And it has installed CCTV cameras around the estate.

There are future plans in place to increase the range of security and crime reduction measures and to attract more businesses into the scheme.

Rob Posner, Wyre Borough Council's divisional manager (Engineering) speaking on behalf of the partnership, said: "The early results of the scheme are promising.

"Crime has been considerably reduced, public confidence on the estate has risen, and the general air of enthusiasm and optimism is attracting new members to the Business Watch."

Poulton Industrial Estate had been identified by WCSP as a crime hot-spot with 66 crimes reported in the five months between November 2000 and April 2001.

Following the introduction of the PIE Business Watch the number of crimes reported has fallen dramatically.

During September and October 2001, just 12 crimes were reported and in November and December 2001 there were no crimes recorded on the estate.

Inspector Richard Debicki of Poulton police station added: "If the current crime pattern on the estate becomes a trend, the area will no longer feature as a crime hot-spot, and the PIE Business Watch will be used as an example of best practice which can be applied to benefit similar areas elsewhere."