A SPATE of attacks on a Leyland estate agents has spurred the owners to strike back.

The Brian Pilkington store, in Hough Lane, has been burgled repeatedly over the past few months, and now bosses are hoping to stop it happening again by having CCTV installed in strategic positions.

Although the provision of the crime-fighting cameras is already included in the Leyland Regeneration Plan, the firm has set up a petition urging the council to rush it through.

A spokesman for Brian Pilkington estate agents in Leyland said: "We were burgled in February and again in April, so we decided to form a petition for residents and business owners -- already we have nearly 2,000 signatures."

Coun Forrest, Leyland St Ambrose ward councillor, who is also chairman of South Ribble Borough Council's Leyland East Area, raised the matter at last Monday's committee meeting.

He said he felt Leyland was becoming more of a target for criminals because of the increased protection against criminals in other areas.

He said: "Criminals are purposely choosing places where there are no cameras because they know they can get away with it.

"The only answer is to install cameras in quiet areas like Leyland. We would rather not have them but what else can we do to deter criminals."

This week, Preston council chiefs also agreed to install CCTV cameras on the bus station in a bid to reduce crime.

A spokesman for Preston Borough Council said: "Ten to 15 CCTV cameras would be installed, split between the station, concourse and subways.

"This is actually more cameras than are currently in the town centre itself, and come after ongoing concerns about community safety.

"The cost will be split between Preston Borough Council, Lancashire County Council, Preston Bus and Stagecoach Ribble."