Crime-ridden businesses are being asked to provide evidence for a battle to win Government funds.

Hard-pressed firms in Bradford are to lobby ministers to increase financial help for police, following on from tough times for both in the wake of the summer riots.

Sandy Needham, chief executive of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been told by Home Office Minister John Denham that the organisation's efforts to rejuvenate the city are appreciated and that the Government is determined to help.

The Chamber was today asking its 1,000 members to provide input for its survey on crimes against business to back claims businesses need more protection.

Last month John Pennington, president of the Chamber and owner of Pennington's Live nightclub, warned that scores of companies would be forced to move out of Bradford if action was not taken to halt repeated attacks.

Mrs Needham said the Chamber recognised police resources were limited and felt the survey would strengthen the case for more central funding.

She said: "We would like as many companies as possible to respond by logging on to our website, downloading the form and returning it to us. This will help build a local picture and help with national lobbying."

Mr Denham visited Bradford after the summer's riots and at the end of August Mrs Needham wrote to him outlining the case for more funding. Last week he wrote back saying Bradford was an example of a "the local community getting together to find local solutions to local problems". He also said he would meet the British Chambers of Commerce, which is co-ordinating a national survey, to discuss the problem of business crime.

Mr Denham also told the Chamber the Government was committed to a £15 million, three-year programme of boosting security for small businesses in deprived areas.

A Bradford police spokesman said: "We take all crimes seriously, whether against people, property or businesses. We welcome the Bradford Chamber's support for more police officers and will continue to work in partnership with others to improve the safe environment in Bradford.

"Officers from the Bradford South Police division officers are working hard to combat crime in the city centre.

"There is a City Centre team and officers in that team have been making in-roads in tackling anti-social behaviour in the city centre, such as begging and town centre drinking, as well as providing a high visibility presence.