A Bradford store group has introduced a new security system to foil violent criminals who target its shops across the region.

Yorkshire Co-operatives Ltd has spent £250,000 installing the new Imigix security system at 164 food stores and petrol stations after a series of violent raids led to close consultation with West Yorkshire Police on how to tackle the problem.

It is now hoped the system will help prevent increasing violent crime against Co-op stores. Just last month a 22-year-old security guard needed surgery after being shot in the knee during an armed raid at the Co-op in Legrams Lane, Lidget Green.

And in February a female cashier suffered cuts when she was assaulted during a raid at the Co-op store in Denholme.

Other stores across the district have suffered ram raids and violent theft, leaving both staff and customers terrified.

The new security system provides staff with personal panic buttons linking them to a central monitoring unit in Bradford.

It means off-site security staff can view developing incidents via in-store video cameras, calling the police immediately in the case of a robbery or a potentially volatile incident.

They can even talk directly into the affected store to calm staff and customers and warn criminals off.

Yorkshire Co-operatives security manager, John Hilbert, said the investment was part of a push to improve staff and customer safety.

"Imigix has many key benefits, not least of which is the fact that we will now have dual verification of intruder alarm activation - one at the police station and one at the central monitoring unit.

"Once an alarm is activated the central monitoring unit will now be able to witness all activities taking place in store and directly update the police with description.

"The problem of thieves 'stealing the evidence' by taking CCTV video tapes with them is also solved because recordings of incidents will be made remotely.

"Hopefully new signage advertising the fact that we have the Imigix system will also be something of a deterrent in itself."

Installation of Imigix has the full backing of West Yorkshire Police Crime Prevention Unit, and coincides with two security conferences organised for all store managers by Yorkshire Co-operatives Ltd and West Yorkshire Police Crime Prevention Unit.

Detective Inspector John Birkenshaw said: "All stores and shops need to continually assess their security arrangements to keep one step ahead of criminals.

"Yorkshire Co-operatives Ltd is taking a strong, pro-active approach and I very much welcome the opportunity to work with them to improve safety."