A new scheme is being launched to help businesses stamp out crime and anti-social behaviour by Ealing Council.

The first area to benefit from the new Business Watch scheme being launched on Monday, 14 January will be The Green in Southall. Recently community safety officers and Police have been clamping down on street drinkers and groups of youths congregating and causing a nuisance around The Green and the Manor House grounds.

Businesses in crime and anti-social behaviour hot spots are being encouraged to join the initiative and work with the Council and Police to make their neighbourhood safer. Businesses can share information, inform each other of nuisance customers and report incidents and specific concerns to the Council and the Police.

Councillor Sue Emment, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “Business Watch will empower shops to keep themselves and their property safe, as well as building a network to help each other.

“Our aim is to rid our communities of criminals. We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and will continue to clamp down on these people as part of our priority to make communities safer.”

Businesses taking part will be displaying new luminous Business Watch signs in their shop windows.

The Business Watch Scheme will also be introduced in other parts of the borough during the year.