LANCASHIRE police's helicopter is to be used in a new initiative to detect and deter crime in business parks.

Operation Nightwatchman is part of an initiative, launched today, to tackle crime problems on Altham Business Park, Simonstone Business Park and the Shuttleworth Mead Business Park near Padiham.

Every time the police helicopter is out and about in the neighbourhood, it will detour to encircle the business parks as a deterrent to would-be criminals.

PS Claire Holbrook of Accrington police said: "The volume of offences on business parks is small but the property taken can be high and accounts for 3.3 per cent of the total reported crime in the area.

"Business parks are vulnerable because they are situated away from urban areas so, using a multi-agency approach, we have got the air support unit involved in this project.

"There is an additional need for extra security in the run-up to Christmas because of additional activity at business parks.

" Aerial photos will also be taken and distributed to assist patrols with policing operations to speed up arrival times."

Business Watch, launched today at the Altham Industrial Estate, is part of a larger project by Groundwork Blackburn to create a Green Business Park encompassing the areas of the three parks.

It has been set up with government money through the single regeneration budget and European regional development funding.

The money has been allocated over a three-year period and will look at transport links to the sites, improved environmental performance and awareness, training, communication and landscaping.

Today Operation Nightwatchman was introduced under the first element which entails upgrading security.

It will also focus on ensuring secure parking, using property marking initiatives, introducing vehicle identification schemes and using security patrols and cameras.

Donna Singleton, of Raven Manufacturing at Altham Industrial Estate, said: "Crime is a problem that affects industrial estates in general and this scheme is a welcome step forward in reducing occurrences of crime.

"It is wonderful that the Green Business Park project has brought companies and partner organisations including Lancashire Constabulary together to try to combat a problem which affects us all."

The Business Watch scheme is also being supported by Guard Hall Securities.