Businesses are joining forces to crack down on vandals and thieves at an industrial estate in Worthing.

CCTV cameras will be installed and nightly security patrols mounted in a £16,500 pilot scheme on the Goring Business Park.

Police dealt with 40 incidents on the estate in the last six months of 1999, costing businesses between £12,500 and £14,000.

But the companies say the true figure, accounting for staff time spent clearing damage and higher insurance premiums, is much higher.

Goring Business Park Traders' Association will consider making the scheme permanent if it is successful.

A spokesman said: "This is one of the most important problems on the estate and companies are keen to tackle the situation collectively.

"We will be assessing the results of the pilot scheme and if it proves to work then we will be thinking seriously about a long-term investment in it."

The bulk of the cost is being met by the association, with support from Sussex Enterprise.

Worthing Council is this week also expected to agree to contribute £4,500.