Strabane Chamber of Commerce have joined forces with the local PSNI, Strabane Community Safety Partnership and Strabane District Policing Partnership to target retail theft with the launch of a Radio Link Scheme.

Speaking at the launch yesterday a spokesperson for Strabane DPP said: "The idea behind the radio link scheme is that it allows all those shops who are members to keep in constant contact with one another. This means they can quickly alert each other to any criminal activity and also broadcast the descriptions of anybody believed to be active in crime or other anti-social behaviour," she said.

She continued: "It also allows them to warn each other about crimes that have occurred such as counterfeit currency or credit cards. Police Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team will also carry a radio with them whilst on patrol thus meaning important information can be relayed quicker than ever before."

In Strabane town, there were 204 recorded incidents of theft, 327 of criminal damage, 23 commercial burglary and nine robberies in the last year.

Mr. Joe Barber, speaking on behalf of Strabane Chamber of Commerce said: "The radio link scheme is a huge step forward in creating a safer town centre environment. The provision of the radios will greatly improve links between businesses and will build on the framework of co-operation that already exists amongst the local businesses."

The Crime Prevention officer from the PSNI said that he hoped the scheme helped to reassure residents, shoppers and traders that Strabane was not an easy target for criminals."

Commenting on the scheme, a spokesperson from Strabane Community Safety Partnership said, "The fear of crime and anti-social behaviour continues to be an issue for individual citizens, local communities and businesses.

"We have just completed its strategy for the next three years and town centre crime is one of its priorities and as such has allocated financial resources to a 'Safe Strabane' initiative which will see a roll out of the radio link scheme to other businesses as well as working in partnership with local taxi firms, pubs and off licenses to implement this scheme," he said.

So far ten businesses have signed up to the scheme and if it proves to be a success then it will be expanded to cover bars, off-licences and taxis firms.