POLICE are appealing to Chorley traders to update the list of people who own keys to their businesses.

PC John Cooke made the plea following a number of instances where people they call no longer have keys to premises involved in an incident.

The situation has deteriorated since burglar alarm companies began taking on responsibility for alarms going off rather than a siren instantly alerting the police station.

PC Cooke said: "There have been times where we have rung people at four in the morning to say their shop window has been broken and they tell us they haven't worked there for six months.

"It's very annoying for the person, but the onus is on the owners who have failed to tell us about the changes in key holders.

"The majority of times key holders are needed when alarms go off, but there are also instances of minor damage and insecure premises.

"We would therefore like to ask all owners of commercial and private property, from chemists to lock-ups, to let us have an up-to-date list of all their key holders."

The request covers the whole of Chorley borough plus Duxbury. The information can be faxed to PC Cooke on (01257) 246232 or sent direct to Chorley Police at St Thomas's Road.

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