Backed by a number of agencies, the Chamber recently wrapped up a £3,000 'alleygating' project at Market Square.

Under the scheme, part funded by town centre businesses and Banbridge District Community Safety Partnership, a new electronic gate has been mounted to close off a service yard to the rear of commercial premises in the Square.

Security fencing has also been erected along the riverside adjoining the perimeter of the yard.

The gate closes off the entrance to the yard - behind Country Fried Chicken and Elysia Beauty - while it's hoped the new fencing, as well as tackling vandalism and anti-social behaviour, will have the added benefit of combating incidents of dumping and river pollution.

The move comes in response to concerns among local traders that anti-social behaviour in the area was on the increase, incidents becoming more frequent.

It reflects an ambitious aim on the part of the Chamber, whose members want to completely wipe out vandalism, anti-social behaviour and other crime locally, amid plans for major town-centre regeneration.

Chamber chairperson Eddie Quinn said the group was delighted to be helping local businesses "to lock out crime".

He added, "With major regeneration work being carried out in the town centre we want to promote a more positive image of our town where anti-social behaviour, vandalism and crime are non-existent."

Ahead of the project the Chamber sought advice from the Police and Fire and Rescue Service before deciding on a remotely operated electronic gate restricting access to unauthorised individuals.

Access can only be granted by a limited number of businesspeople, armed with the security code for the gate.

In the case of an emergency the gate has been fitted with a pedestrian evacuation door which can be opened from the inside by a push bar.