BOLTON and Bury Chamber has launched a 24-hour business crime support service.

It's all part of a hard-hitting campaign to cut theft from business premises by 15 per cent before next March.

Bury firms who are victims of crime can now ring the Chamber's Business Crime Support Line on 0845 6011426 for advice and signposting to specialists.

Out of office hours, a pre-recorded message will advise callers of useful emergency numbers.

The initiative is part of a wider campaign by the new Business Crime Group - led by Bolton Council, Greater Manchester Police and Barclays Bank, in partnership with the Chamber.

The aim is to reduce crime and perceptions of crime and boost confidence among inward investors.

Another practical measure includes a Barclays Bank loan scheme which offers preferential rates for security improvements.

Andrew Ratcliff, Chamber director of membership, said: "Crime ranks as a major concern within our membership and is potentially a constraint on economic growth.

"This is backed up by the most recent national Home Office figures, which show the risk of burglary is nine times higher for business premises than domestic premises."

And vandalism is five times higher while vehicle crime is almost four times higher.

"Together with our partners, we are determined to fight back and help local businesses become victors against crime - not victims," concluded Mr Ratcliff.

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