AN anti-crime initiative launched last year by traders in Minehead has received a £1,200 boost to help it cover a larger area of the town.

The money will be used by Minehead Shop Patrol to set up a booster aerial to serve radios keeping the traders constantly in touch with each other throughout the day.

It will mean clearer reception of signals and a far greater range for the radios, which previously could only be used in the town centre.

Two more radios will also be purchased, one for local police and one for use on the town's Butlins family entertainment resort.

The scheme has seen a drastic fall in stock losses in premises covered since it started less than a year ago.

Now, its success has been recognised by Taunton and West Somerset Doorsafe - a partnership of local authority, police and business representatives from West Somerset and Taunton Deane.

The Doorsafe management committee presented a £1,200 cheque to the shop patrol committee last week.

The money came from registration fees and funds raised from courses to train door supervisors for licenced premises.

As a non-profit-making organisation, Doorsafe has used any excess income to support a range of groups and societies in its area with similar aims to prevent crime and disorder.

The cheque was presented by Doorsafe chairman Maurice Durant and received on behalf of the shop patrol by chairman John Coomber, treasurer Graham Lawrence and secretary Mark Granger.

Doorsafe committee members who attended were secretary Sergeant Peter Jensen and Taunton Deane borough Cllr Geoff Tremethick.

Others who were present included West Somerset District Council chairman Cllr Jenny David, Minehead JP and district Cllr Keith Parkes, head of Minehead police Inspector Rod Price and Minehead community beat officer PC Rupert Clegg.