A FUND that aims to help businesses secure their premises and make them less vulnerable to crime has received a financial boost.

Hartlepool Borough Council's grants committee has agreed to pump an additional £15,000 into the Hartlepool Business Security Fund.

The money, which is part of a £150,000 allocation from this year's council budget set aside to fund community safety projects, will complement another £20,000 from the council's economic development section and £40,000 from the private sector.

The grants committee heard that the security fund had been running successfully for a number of years and had benefited a variety of small businesses.

Councillor Robbie Payne, chairman of the grants committee, said: "This fund plays an important role in the fight against commercial crime in Hartlepool.

"If left unchecked, such crime can have a serious detrimental effect on a local economy as businesses close down or move out of town, taking with them much-needed jobs and investment.

"Smaller businesses are particularly vulnerable, given their tight financial margins and lack of resources to fund the security equipment they need to protect their premises."

The fund is only open to manufacturing businesses, which can apply for up to 50 per cent of the cost of security measures, to a maximum of £2,500. Such measures could include CCTV and alarm systems, security fencing, roller shutters, security doors, window grilles and security lights.

For details, contact Israr Hussain, a council economic development officer, on 01429-523505.