More cash for security

Oct 19 2007 Evening Gazette

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

Hartlepool 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 the council’s 2007/08 capital 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 security fund has been running successfully for a number of years and has benefited a variety of small businesses.

Councillor Robbie Payne, who chairs the Grants Committee, said: “This fund plays an important role in the fight against commercial crime in Hartlepool.”

The fund is only open to manufacturing businesses which can apply for up to 50% of the cost of security measures - to a maximum of £2,500.