British Business Parks is pioneering the new security scheme to ensure firms on its sites are safe from being broken into or vandalised.

The scheme has been successfully tried out at industrial estates in Cannock and is now to be expanded to include the Burntwood Business Park.

Under the scheme, companies are encouraged to band together to help pay for security patrols to keep an out-of-hours vigil on their premises.

In Cannock, the scheme has been introduced in Norton Canes and is shortly to be extended to cover the Hawks Green Business Park.

The firms involved each pay £20 a week for the security company to carry out patrols between 7pm – 6am.

The trial project will be reviewed after three and six months although where the programme has been in operation, crime has already fallen dramatically.

Besides helping to combat burglars, the scheme is also seen as important in deterring itinerants from setting up illegal encampments.

Natalie O’Gara, BBP’s Burntwood Business Park Coordinator, said: “We know that the scheme has been a success in Cannock and we think that it will have the same benefits for companies in Burntwood.

“Any measures which help to combat crime should be encouraged because the cost to business of becoming victims of crime can often be significant.”

For further information please contact Natalie O’Gara on 01543 460050.