Workers from businesses on a busy industrial estate crammed into a meeting on Wednesday to support a new crime busting scheme.

The Business Watch Initiative, launched at UniChem Ltd, Dodd Way, at Walton Summit industrial estate in Bamber Bridge on Wednesday, will be run by the Lancashire Business Environment Association and the police in conjunction with more than 80 companies on the site. The Government-funded project will run until June and use emails to filter messages to police and businesses to keep them informed about any incidents.

Business Watch signs will also be displayed in the area to deter would-be criminals and bi-monthly breakfast meetings will be held. Officers will also offer advice on crime prevention and security.

Barry Noon, business advisor for Lancashire Business Environment Association who will also chair the meetings, said: "Walton Summit is a large site in the triangle of the M6, M65 and the M61.

"This tends to attract criminals because the estate is easily accessible but hopefully by knowing this scheme is operating they will think twice about doing anything."