Businesses concerned about prostitution and drug dealing have joined forces to help fight crime.

Companies based in the Nelson Street area of Bradford have set up a Business Watch scheme - which aims to improve security and reduce crime - with the help of Bradford South Police and with backing from regeneration organisation Bradford Trident.

Police will give the companies advice on all aspects of security, including personal safety, cash handling arrangements, and they will be asked to carry out a risk assessment of their premises looking at the general security of buildings, whether equipment has been security marked, security during working hours, external lighting and alarm systems, as well as the provision for visitors.

They will also be urged to regularly review security, be on the look out for unusual or suspicious activities, be in regular contact with neighbouring businesses and encourage employees to be vigilant and security minded.

David Watt, a director of Cygnet Wools in Adelaide Street, said the scheme had improved communication between companies in the area.

"Before this scheme was set up you would see people in the street but we had never sat down and talked to each other.

"The main problem during the day is with drugs. People come down from Manchester Road and wait on the doorstep for drugs to be delivered. We are very concerned what these people might do if they are desperate. It makes for a very insecure feeling in the area.

"The problem with prostitution is at night and we see the evidence of that in the car park."

Darrell Gregorire, programme director for Bradford Trident, said regeneration in the area would only be successful if businesses had a secure environment to operate in, both for the benefit of their staff and customers.

PC Paul Corah, Bradford District Commercial Crime Reduction Officer, said the scheme had already had some success and Business Watch signs had gone up in the area.

"The key to tackling commercial crime is for everyone to work together and for businesses to take heed of vital crime prevention advice.''