POLICE, council chiefs and traders in Sale are working together to crack down on town centre crime this Christmas.

Along with the very successful Radiolink system, a new Businesswatch scheme organised by Sale Town Partnership was launched on Wednesday (November 7). Traders and the police will gather and share information about criminal activity in the area, retail crime issues and crime prevention initiatives of benefit to Sale businesses.

Diane Smith, manager at The Square Shopping Centre in Sale, says: "Anything that we can do collectively to reduce crime and improve our shopping environment can only be good news for Sale."

A telephone ring-round system has also been established for shops without radio contact and this will link to the Radiolink system, providing a quick and effective method of informing all shops in the area of suspicious behaviour or incidents.

This year's police campaign involves a higher police presence in the run up to Christmas in a bid to reduce opportunities for crime. This initiative has proved extremely successful in previous years and will be supported this year by the new CCTV cameras and the Businesswatch scheme as well as the well-established Radiolink system.

Town centre police officer, PC Adele Carlin says: "All these crime prevention projects taking place in Sale will prove a big help in reducing crime levels in the town and there have been some key success stories already thanks to the level of commitment from everyone involved."

Plans for a CCTV system to be installed in time for the festive season include connection to a 24 hour watch station, providing an additional set of eyes to ensure the detection of crime both during the day and in the evening.

Cllr Barry Brotherton, the council's executive member for community safety, adds: "The setting up of the Businesswatch scheme, in conjunction with the other crime prevention initiatives, is a good example of how the police, local businesses, the council and Sale Town Partnership can work together for the benefit of the town."