THE head of Ramsbottom and Tottington Police has urged the business community to update their security measures following a spate of vandal attacks over the festive period.

Three shops in Ramsbottom had their windows smashed on Boxing Day.

Speaking at last week's meeting of Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor area board, Inspector Steve Clark said: "Ramsbottom suffers more incidents of criminal damage than Radcliffe and Prestwich put together. The use of shutters can stop windows from being shattered."

He said that the town's status as a conservation area did not prevent the use of shutters.

But Coun Dorothy Gunther, chairman of the board, said: "The onus should be on the police to enforce law and order. We were so upset that the windows had been smashed that we went out on New Year's day to see if there was any more damage."

Coun Barry Theckston said: "Thank you to Inspector Clark for the police presence in Ramsbottom on New Year's Eve."

Concerns were also raised that the use of shutters could be unsightly in a town like Ramsbottom.

Insp Clark, however, said that the community had to work together to tackle crime. He added that incidents of criminal damage were down on 2003 from 70 to 20.