CRIMINALS driven out of town by increased security are targeting vulnerable suburban businesses.

Shops and firms in the fringes of town are being hit because tough security systems are driving robbers away from the traditional crime blackspots.

And the council say that although they recognise the problem, they cannot afford to give out of town companies the same kind of protection.

Plight

The plight of crime-plagued small businesses was raised by Cllr Bob Evans who appealed for help for firms in outer areas.

The Little Lever councillor called for a new borough-wide security drive to combat business crime to concentrate on areas such as Little Lever.

He said: "As the town centre is getting more security conscious, criminals are making their way to outskirts."

Planning chief, Cllr Jack Foster, said deprived parts of the borough qualified for extra Government money to tackle crime but it had to be spent in strictly designated areas such as the 3Ds.

He said: "I clearly understand Cllr Evans's concern because he represents an area that seems to miss out when it comes to grants such as the single regeneration budget and as a result little has been done in this line.

"Much work has been carried out in other areas including sections of Farnworth. Businesses now have CCTV, shutters and alarms - it had to be done because they told us they would leave if they kept getting raided all the time.

"But we had special grants to do this work - we do not have enough in the mainstream kitty to do it.

"Business crime is a priority and the borough- wide initiative will benefit all but I cannot promise it will be quick."

Councillors agreed to set up a group to look at business crime after being warned that actual incidents and the fear of crime could drive small and medium sized companies out of Bolton.

The borough-wide Business Security Initiative will bring together the council, police and business leaders to find ways of tackling the problem.

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