'Walkie talkie' link for traders

The radio phone link system has been set up because of fears the town was being seen as an easy target by thieves forced away from Kidderminster, Stourport and Bridgnorth.

"They already have this scheme up and running there and it has proved very successful," said Colin Billingham, of Bewdley Chamber of Trade.

"So much so that the shoplifters and yobs are now visiting Bewdley because we are an easy victim. The chamber of trade, Bewdley Business Group and Bewdley Police are not prepared to let this happen."

He said exclusion orders from the courts had also contributed to moving troublemakers around the area.

"It's sad that we have to do these things but we're getting more and more of the wrong sort of people," he said.

"We know it doesn't really solve the problem, it just moves it somewhere else. We don't want them all coming here."

Businesses were being given their phones today and the system was due to start tomorrow.

It will mean they can be in touch with each other all day and pass on information without using a normal telephone. If there is a problem, 20 or more people will immediately know about it, Mr Billingham said.

"The police would also have the information straight away," he said. "That's why this system really works."

He said he hoped more people would join in with the walkie-talkie link once the system had been up and running successfully.

"It costs £45 a quarter for the phone which is a small price to pay for security," he said. "We can have as many people join as we like. I think the pubs will also want to get involved so we could have 30 businesses altogether."

Bewdley police beat manager PC Nigel Barter has been involved in helping to arrange for sponsors to obtain a transmitter and install the equipment.

Mr Billingham said the business community of Bewdley was grateful to Gary Clarke, from Kidderminster, who runs Crystal Radio Systems Ltd of Bromsgrove and donated the transmitter free.