TWO new initiatives are being launched to fight crime.

The moves are being promoted by Newent Crime Reduction Team, formerly known as the Crime Prevention Panel.

The first initiative is effectively a re-launch of the existing Shopwatch scheme, which has 44 retailers on its books.

Russ Green, chairman of the Crime Reduction Team, said the scheme would now be called Business Alert and would also include banks, garages and any other firm which might benefit.

Every business in Newent is to be contacted and invited to join for £2, to meet the cost of a door sticker and administration expenses.

Mr Green, of May Hill, said a relaunch was necessary because some businesses had closed or moved away, and new businesses had moved into town.

Under the system, businesses ring round to alert each other about suspicious characters or counterfeit money, a process which has taken nine minutes at the longest, according to Mr Green.

But he stressed that, while Business Alert is in the process of being formed, the old Shopwatch is still very effective.

The Crime Reduction Team, in partnership with the police, is also setting up the Farmwatch scheme, also based on a ring-round system.

But this will be based on messages not from individual members but from the police, such as warnings that farm equipment has been stolen in the local area.

Posters and leaflets have been produced to help promote the scheme and Mr Green is asking farmers who are interested to contact him on 01452 830571.