BUSINESSES throughout the Bury area are being urged to back a successful Greater Manchester-wide crimefighting initiative.

CrimeStoppers is appealing for support from local companies to boost its fight against crime and fulfil its aim to become self-financing.

Businesses are being invited to donate £999 per year and join major corporate names in the region in the CrimeStoppers 999 Club, established this year to help towards the running of the scheme's costs.

CrimeStoppers' regional manager Sue Arden, from Prestwich, said: "CrimeStoppers is vital in helping to solve the crimes which cost local businesses thousands of pounds every year. "By linking up with local business and with further investment, CrimeStoppers will be able to increase its effectiveness in fighting crime across the region and help improve the area for businesses and residents alike."

She added: "Businesses supporting CrimeStoppers not only benefit by helping to create an improved, more efficient scheme, but also through exposure generated by association with the CrimeStoppers name in the media, on our literature and at events."

Greater Manchester CrimeStoppers is the country's most successful, with more than 11,000 calls received in 1998 and 3,123 crimes being solved since its launch in 1991.

It is a guaranteed way for the public to pass on information to the police totally anonymously and it has proved to be an invaluable source of information.

Those who do not wish to go direct to the police can freephone CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

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