DOG handlers and unmarked police cars will patrol Winsford Industrial Estate as Cheshire Police try to tackle a rising tide of crime on the estate.

As exclusively reported by the Guardian last week, thieves have stolen £500,000 worth of goods from companies on an estate that employs 4,000 people.

Winsford police boss Inspector Brian Roberts said this week that he had some difficult decisions to make in terms of deploying his staff, but the high-profile operation would see officers dispatched to the estate at vulnerable times for businesses.

Insp Roberts said: "PC Simon Parker, from Winsford Community Action Team, will head this operation but will be working in partnership with our colleagues from the community safety wardens and the borough council.

"We will use a number of departments including road policing units, dog handlers, unmarked crime cars and police community support officers.

"We are encouraged to think of innovative methods to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour."

Insp Roberts said the long-term aim of keeping the estate a crime-free zone could only be achieved by organisations such as Cheshire Police, Business Watch, councils and Groundwork working together.

He added: "We need better lines of communication and a confidence and understanding in each other to show a united front against those responsible for committing crime.

"I cannot make unrealistic promises but our aim must be to make communities in Winsford, including businesses and industrial estates ,a safer place to work."

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk