LACK of interest led to the cancellation of a "beat the criminal" conference for the business community.

The event was due to take place on Wednesday at the Last Drop Hotel, Bromley Cross.

Organisers in Bolton Council's Economic and Physical Development Unit have expressed their "surprise and disappointment" at the response.

Sessions were planned on a wide range of crimes affecting businesses.

A variety of high profile speakers were lined up but in the end, however, only 15 companies said they would be sending delegates and it was decided to call it off. Cllr Frank White, Bolton Council's Executive Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety, was scheduled to open the conference.

Surprised

He said today: "I was very surprised at the low response considering the topics we were to look at.

"This conference would have shown ways of how to counter losses.

"We thought the subjects to be covered would be just the sort of thing which businesses would be keen to hear and learn about.

"I thought it was a great opportunity for business people and it is sad that it had to be cancelled, but it will not make any difference to our partnership and the joint battle against the business criminal."

He added: "We mailed around 2,500 companies across the borough but the response simply did not make it viable.

"The Council and its partner organisations are committed to initiatives which will cut crime and it is very disappointing when something like this happens. A lot of work had gone into this." DISAPPOINTED: Cllr Frank White was to open event