BOLTON businesses are being urged to back Greater Manchester Crimestoppers in the fight against Crime.

Local business men and women are being invited to donate £999 a year and join major business names in the region in the Crimestoppers 999 Club. The club was set up this year to help towards the running costs of the scheme.

Crimestoppers regional manager, Sue Arden said: "Crimestoppers is vital in helping to solve the crimes which cost local bunsinesses thousands of pounds every year.

"By linking up with local businesses and with further investment, Crimestoppers will be able to increase its effectiveness in fighting crime across the region and help improve the area for businesses and residents alike.

"Businesses supporting Crimestoppers not only benefit by helping to create an improved, more efficient scheme but also through exposure generated by association with the Crimestoppers name in the media, on our literature and at events.

Since the Crimestoppers scheme was launched in 1991 a total of 3,123 crimes have been solved with information supplied by the public on the free phone 0800 555 111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.