Basildon's criminal fraternity is in for a tough time after businesses on an industrial estate joined forces in the battle against thieves.

Eye on crime - Colin Geater is organising the Pipps Hill Business Watch Scheme. Picture: ANDREW BELFORD

The Pipps Hill Estate off Cranes Farm Road, like many others of its type, has been blighted by crime, ranging from theft of vehicles to break-ins and intruder alerts, and store chain Argos, which has its south east England distribution centre on the site, was determined to do something about it.

So it set up the Pipps Hill Business Watch Scheme, which although has only been up and running for a matter of weeks, has already won the backing of 30 businesses on the estate, with more considering signing up.

Colin Geater, security team leader at Argos' Basildon centre and co-ordinator of the Neighbourhood Watch-style scheme, said: "From going round putting the idea to companies it soon became apparent that a lot of crime was just not being reported.

"I have even found instances of companies who had found strangers sitting at desks. These people might not have committed any criminal offences at that particular site, but they could have done at others. But because the company didn't pass the information on, the police could do nothing.

"It's easy to blame the police for not doing enough, but we must accept that their resources are limited. We have to take ownership of the problem."

Argos has introduced similar schemes at its sites around the country, and according to Colin they have been found to work "extremely well".

So well in fact that the company is actively considering linking the schemes it backs to create a national network, sharing information between businesses across the country in a bid to tackle organised crime.

For more information on the scheme, call Colin Geater on 01268 594200 ext 279.

Published Tuesday December 18, 2001