Local press reports.

Criminals are being told in no uncertain terms to stay out of Loughborough.

More than 30 businesses turned up at the Town Hall kick-offmeeting to hear how they can help the community to prosper through a new crime fighting initiative.
Crime out of Loughborough ( COOL ) was launched by Charnwood Council and Police, and will enable firms to kick out the thieves and troublemakers.

Under the scheme, town centre businesses will be given photographs and information about offenders so they can bar them from their premises.
It will also run alongside existing schemes such as the radio link between shops and CCTV.
Town centre manager Simon Todd said: It has taken us 9 months to get to where we are today. There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure we have the right system in place.
Although we already have some excellent initiatives to fight crime, around 90% of businesses are not directly involved. We want as many business as possible to get involved with COOL.
Midlands Regional Crime Initiative Chief Executive, Paul Smedley, who has advised on dozens of similar schemes in the region also spoke at the meeting.
"It makes sense of traders to join up." He said. "If it creates a safer town more people will visit their shops. The scheme will also cut down on the amount of items stolen from their stores. Councillor Mike Jones, Chairman of the Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, backed the initiative.

He said "Loughborough is booming at the moment. But this means it becomes more and more attractive to criminals."
"The cost of joining the scheme is £75.- per year per individual trader, or £150.- for chain stores. Participants will also receive training in crime prevention.