SHOPKEEPERS have hit out at the lack of security provided on the shopping parade on Norris Road in Sale.

They have described the current security measures as "useless" and "a waste of money."

Jack Singh, owner of the Londis newsagents, and Denis Mallalieu of Mallalieu's pharmacy, spoke to SAM after the newsagents was ramraided last week.

The front of the shop was destroyed, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

The offenders drove the car through the bollards on the parade and smashed into the shop, before stealing cigarettes.

Mr Singh had only just fitted new shutters to the front of his shop after a robbery two weeks ago. He said: "I'm going to have to get more new shutters, replace stock and repair the rest of the shop front."

Pharmacist Mr Mallalieu said: "Security cameras have been put up, but they are useless because their view of the shops is blocked by trees.

"They put up a dummy camera to start with, but it was down within a week. Someone pulled it down with a rope.

"It was also pointed towards the sky for about a month, which wasn't very useful. Criminals have been mocking these security measures since they were put in place.

"We just wonder which of us is going to be next."

There have been a number of robberies at newsagents in the area recently. Mr Singh said some were considering closing if they had any more problems.

Geoff Ball, assistant director of engineering and planning at Trafford council, said: "The bollards were not really put in place to stop ramraids. They are there to protect pedestrians.

"We could look at putting up bollards to protect shops in consultation with residents."

Tony Russell, Trafford council's community safety manager, said: "We had problems when we first put the camera up. The camera itself was getting attacked.

"It is really there to act as a deterrent to youths causing annoyance rather than to stop ramraids.

"George Street in Altrincham has a number of cameras, but they have not been able to prevent ramraids."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.