Small businesses will learn to fight back against crime thanks to a joint venture between police and a council.

Wealden District council's Environmental Health department has teamed up with Sussex police in a bid to clamp down on burglaries and fraud committed against smaller businesses in the Wealden area.

David Smith, crime prevention co-ordinator for Sussex police, will be presenting ideas and answering questions at a presentation to the Wealden Local Business Panel.

He will be speaking to the group on measures to make businesses more secure from crime.

Councillor Sylvia Tidy, Wealden's executive member with responsibility for the area's economic portfolio, said: "The Business Panel provide an opportunity for important messages to be communicated to and from local businesses. Whatever can be done to improve the lot of the small business can only be welcomed."

The presentation will be held at the Uckfield Civic Centre on Wednesday, September 26.

The panel is made up of 45 members from a variety of businesses across the district. New members are welcome to join and meetings are held three times a year.

The aim of the panel is to act as a link and a forum for discussion between business people, the Environmental Health department, East Sussex County Council's Trading Standards department and other agencies.

To join or for more information telephone Jeremy Leach at the Environmental Health department on 01323 442666.