POLICE have launched a new 'business watch' scheme extending to three industrial estates in efforts to cut down on crime.
The initiative was officially launched on Thursday (20) at Uxbridge Police Station, bringing together officers and business owners.
Max Angliss, managing director of Chips Away vehicle repair specialists, based in the Trout Road Industrial Estate, Yiewsley, is among those who have signed up the the scheme.
He said: "We moved in a year ago, and we were broken into after just one day. We suffered another burglary where we lost £3,500 worth of stock, and there have been two attempted burglaries over the past year.
"We have put CCTV up and have alarm systems now, schemes like this are important."
As part of the business watch scheme, firms are presented with diaries, to record any suspicious activities, and stickers will be going up on lampposts and premises.
One of the key aims is to open a dialogue and build contacts between the police and business owners.
The scheme is targeted at three business estates in Yiewsley, and if it is successful could be rolled out to other areas.
Covered in the scheme is the Horton Road Industrial Estate, Tomo Industrial Estate, and Kirby Industrial Estate.
PC Scott Lovekin, of Yiewsley Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "The emerging crime trends were mainly theft of metal, from roofs and other sources on the estates, and theft from motor vehicles, fuel and belongings.
"Business watch also includes crime prevention of loads, such as lorries that park overnight for deliveries.
"At one point earlier in the year there were two to three crimes a week, and through our efforts so far there have been none so far this month, hopefully this scheme is the next step in continuing this success. We want to dramatically reduce business crime in the borough."
Hillingdon Council has provided funding of £650 to back the scheme.
Councillor Douglas Mills, cabinet member for improvement, partnership, and community safety, said: "Hillingdon Council is keen to support businesses to help themselves to reduce crime, particular during these tough economic times.
"This money will go towards publicising the ‘business watch’ scheme in the Yiewsley and West Drayton area and I hope lots of businesses will take advantage of the support that is on offer."
