A GROUP which aims to help reduce crimes against businesses in Tadley is close to being set up.

Several meetings have already taken place to discuss the possibility of establishing a Tadley Business Against Crime group, made up of the owners and managers of local firms.

As well as cutting shoplifting, the consortium would seek to stop anti-social behaviour that affects traders and local leisure and service providers in the town, through sharing information about repeat troublemakers.

A similar group based in Basingstoke - called Basingstoke Business Against Crime - has been established in the town centre for two years.

Adrian Gatehouse, crime reduction manager and co-ordinator of the Basingstoke group, said: "In Tadley, the shops currently don't share information about the problems they have.

"The group will allow businesses to share information regularly, and instantly, by using radio, phone and e-mail, or through meetings.

"I would hope it may allow businesses to reduce problems with anti-social behaviour and cut crime by 30 per cent over three years."

Under the scheme, which would cost each participant around £400 a year, businesses would be given radios linked to each other, as well as to local beat officers.

Information collected could then be used to take action against repeat offenders, including banning them from premises belonging to all members of the group for 12 months.

Tadley's beat sergeant Olga Venner welcomed the plan for the group, which would have the full support of police.

She said: "Several of the largest businesses in Tadley are very interested in getting involved. The scheme will be most worthwhile to them, as they are the ones most affected by anti-social behaviour. If other businesses want to come on board that would be great."

Businesses interested in the group should contact Adrian Gatehouse on 01256 845262.