FED UP business owners are threatening to quit town unless there is immediate action to combat a crimewave at their base.

Tenants at Darwen Enterprise Centre claimed young criminals were committing at least one offence a day at the estate in Railway Road.

They demand new security measures from owners, Preston-based Enterprise plc, and are planning to withhold rent if nothing happens.

Mark Kershaw, who runs a quarry specialist firm, said: "It has got beyond a joke. Cars and units are being broken into and vandalised day and night.

"For the last ten weeks we've been asking the owners to put up a fence but our concerns seem to be falling on deaf ears."

Garage owner Peter Smith has been targeted four times since he moved into his unit two months ago. Yesterday youths threw a carton of sour milk over his car.

He said: "It's really bad. Gangs are hanging around all the time causing a nuisance. But when you confront them they only give you a mouthful.

"I've already spent £1,000 on security measures. I think a fence is the best bet, that way there would only be one way in and out. I'm only a one-man-band and if something isn't done soon I won't be able to carry on."

Vic Stone, who has been operating from the estate for eight years, called a meeting with fellow traders in an attempt to get things moving. "When they broke into my unit they trashed the place. The police are doing their best but we really need some investment to make a difference."

Darwen Police said they were aware of crime and nuisance in the Railway Road area and said it was being closely monitored.

Inspector Stuart Coates said: "There have been four burglaries, two stealing from motor vehicles and two other thefts so far this year. One of the difficulties is the number of access points on the estate."

A spokesman for Enterprise Ltd said: "We have been concerned at the problems faced by our tenants at the Darwen Enterprise Centre and have started to investigate ways of improving security.

"As an interim measure we will be providing security guards who will be patrolling the site between 6pm and 6am from tomorrow.

"In the longer term we are looking at a number of other options to improve security on the site, including the possibility of erecting security fencing."

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