STOURPORT town centre has joined the 'We Don't Buy Crime' police initiative following a spate of business break-ins, burglaries and incidents of criminal damage.

Shops around the town centre have been hit by 15 attacks in the last two weeks, prompting local police and the town council to step in in an effort to prevent further business crimes.

As part of the 'We Don't Buy Crime' scheme, funded by West Mercia Police's community fund, signage has been installed around the town centre and crime prevention advice leaflets and property marking kits have been handed out to local shops.

PC Sam Maher, of Stourport Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "It is important we address business crime in our town and highlight the importance of crime prevention amongst the business community.

"This has raised awareness and introduced additional security to the town centre to help prevent business crime and aid in detecting offences.

"We have worked with our partners to enable this to happen and have provided support and advice to business owners which supports them to protect their businesses."

Police are now investigating the recent incidents of business crime, which range from burglaries to criminal damage to fencing.

David Glass, co-ordinator of Shopwatch, said: "After a spate of recent businesses being attacked and shops being made victims of crime, it is important that as town centre businesses we stand together to protect and secure our properties and businesses to drive out criminality in our town centre."

Rural and business crime officer Natalie Lowe added: "It is great to see a community embrace the 'We Don't Buy Crime' initiative and fully commit to crime prevention."