POLICE and firefighters are joining forces to help traders Stamp Crime Out of Town (SCOOT).

A series of crime-busting SCOOT workshops will be staged to back Crewe and Nantwich traders in their bid to keep shops theft and trouble-free.

The next one takes place next Wednesday at 6pm when 1,000 shopkeepers will be invited to a presentation at The Stables conference centre at Alvaston Hall.

Speakers will include Nigel Mills and Miles Dignam from Cheshire Constabulary talking about new powers of arrest and sub-officer Phil Edwards from Crewe Fire Station covering the threat of arson in the workplace and the Fire Safety Order which will replace all existing fire safety legislation.

Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, which is behind the SCOOT initiative, wants to hear from traders who would like to attend.

Cllr John Dwyer, portfolio-holder for Safer Communities, said: 'These free workshops have proved invaluable to our traders in the past as a training aid.

'With the new Fire Safety Order coming into force in October of this year, which affects all businesses, we are happy to enable our partner organisations to work along side and help the traders of our borough.'

For more details about the SCOOT workshops phone Elaine Dodd or Sue Togay in the town centre manager's office on 01270 537559.