THE fight against crimes that can bring companies to their knees is being stepped up in York.

Bosses will be offered to chance to learn about the latest scams being perpetrated by fraudsters - and how to guard against them - as part of a series of initiatives against business crime, which can also range from burglary to workplace bullying.

The Safer York Partnership is offering help in an effort to clamp down on business-related offences, with practical advice and plans for a series of seminars.

Fraud was one of the main concerns highlighted in feedback from business chiefs who attended an anti-crime conference organised by the partnership's Business Action Group earlier this year

"The feedback we got from the conference was very good and very encouraging," said community safety officer PC John Bolton.

"Fraud is one of the big topics that came up from the feedback from the conference - it's a big issue."

He said bosses were concerned about fraud by outsiders and their own employees.

As a result it will be one of the issues taking centre stage at seminars planned for next May, with a trial event using a selected audience in November.

Taking part will be Detective Sergeant Kevin Ross of North Yorkshire Police's fraud squad, who said: "What we want to do is heighten business awareness that they could be victims of fraud crime, and give tips on how they can avoid being victims - making them more vigilant and hopefully reducing the number of incidents where businesses are brought to their knees by the activities of others."

Detective Sergeant Ross said levels of fraud were increasing as professional criminals moved out of other areas into one where they could make "big money".

Types of crime included setting up a company fraudulently to get goods and services from an honest company, which would never be paid for.

Other issues to be tackled in the seminars - due to take place after a second anti-crime conference next March - include physical and electronic security for premises and offences relating to interpersonal relationships in the workplace, like violence and bullying.

The Business Action Group has produced a business risk management guide, designed by York police's other community safety officer PC Jim Shanks, which sets out ways to reduce the likelihood of commercial loss or damage to business premises, or personal loss or injury to staff.

Meanwhile, PC Bolton is looking to spread a particular message about cutting the cost of burglaries on business premises - including shops - with practical advice on preventing break-ins.

There were 109 "business burglaries" in York in the first six months of 2000, and PC Bolton said the British Retail Consortium calculated £80 million was lost due to shop break-ins last year.

Tips include slowing down burglars with more than one kind of protection, reducing stock, and training staff.

For more information contact PC Bolton on York 554617.

PICTURE: PC John Bolton: "fraud is a big issue"