NEWENT'S Shopwatch scheme is being expanded to include all businesses in the town as part of a New Year crackdown on crime.

At present, 44 shops are involved in the ring-round scheme, which gives early warning of shoplifters, counterfeit notes and other problems.

Newent and North Forest Crime Reduction Team spokesman Russ Green said: "The present Shopwatch has proved to be very popular in getting a message to all shopkeepers in less than ten minutes.

"The scheme will be relaunched as Business Alert and include all businesses in the town who wish to join, including estate agents and banks. In fact, every business, whatever its nature."

In the next few weeks, Crime Reduction Team members will visit firms in the town centre in a bid to get every business involved.

Mr Green believes the relaunched system could be expanded by as many as 20 members.

Meanwhile, the Crime Reduction Team and police launched Operation Timer in Newent on Tuesday (December 2). Officers and volunteers roamed the streets during the evening making a note of houses with no lights on.

Homes in darkness received an information pack telling householders how burglars target homes left in darkness and how simple counter-measures can include leaving a light on and a radio playing.

The move follows statistics which show how crime has risen in the Newent area over the past 12 months.

Figures provided by Crime Reduction Officer, PC Bob Lloyd, show that house burglaries rose from 41 to 75, while burglaries from sheds and garages was up from 99 to 146.

Theft from vehicles was up from 62 to 83, criminal damage was up from 74 to 106 cases and drug offences rose from five to 15.

However, there was a decline in violent crime, from 85 cases to 70, and in robbery, from one case to none.

The overall crime total for the period was 688, compared to 557 for the same period the year before.

n Newent Auto's showroom should be displaying a Christmas tree with a difference by next week, as the Newent and North Forest Crime Reduction Team presents a seasonal anti-crime message.

Crime Reduction Team spokesman Russ Green said: "Instead of the usual Christmas decorations there will be various crime reduction slogans, road safety advice and so on."