A CCTV installation company is expecting a rise of business burglaries during the lockdown period as the threat of burglars targeting empty premises looms large.

Bolton CCTV, which operates across the the north west, had a surge of jobs to complete before the Government put tight restrictions in place to prevent coronavirus from spreading.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's order to shut down non-essential businesses has led to many of the company's clients closing its doors.

Paul Whitehead, 41, runs Bolton CCTV with his wife Ruth, 44, and the business have around a 50-50 split of commercial and domestic customers.

Dad-of-two Paul said: "I wouldn't be surprised if the number of business burglaries goes up with there being a lot of empty properties.

"If people cannot go to work there could be less money for them which could lead to crime.

"I think a lot of people sensed the lockdown was coming and I had companies contacting me, including one on an industrial estate in Breightmet, to do work."

Paul also believes the occupation of CCTV alarmist should be on the Government's list of key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: "I am concerned that I am not classed as a key worker.

"If a burglar alarm goes off in the middle of the night are people expected to wait until the morning before it is sorted out?"

Like many companies across the UK, Bolton CCTV has had to shutdown during the crisis.

But the owners are optimistic that they will have plenty of jobs to return to once the Government restrictions have been lifted.

"I have had to stop trading at the moment," Paul said.

"I am not doing installations but I am available to contact in the case of an emergency.

"I am always busy and had a lot of work on building up to the lockdown but it has gone quiet since then.

"I have about four weeks of work that I can't touch at the moment which hopefully I'll still be able to do if people still have the money to pay for the jobs."

Bolton CCTV is contacting customers to reschedule installations.

To contact Paul phone 07889 121635.