SHOPKEEPERS in a Southampton "under siege" from gangs of teenage thugs are holding a meeting with police in a bid to create a business Watch scheme.

The move comes after more than 20 shops and pubs in the popular Burgess Road area of the city have been consistently targeted by vandals and shoplifters over the past year.

The exact details of the Business Watch scheme are due to be discussed during a special meeting being held in Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre on Wednesday at 6pm.

A similar initiative has been earmarked for St Mary Street in St Mary's after traders said they were fed-up with having to pick up the pieces after countless burglaries and acts of vandalism.

Jim Hurst, 65, who has run JIM'S greengrocers for 31 years, said: "The other day I chased after a young child who was trying to get away after shovelling a huge amount of fruit into a carrier bag. He dropped the bag as he went over a zebra crossing before getting away.

"It's the same old faces all the time but if we tried to do anything it would be us up on a charge. We are under siege yet helpless. I know a cashier in one of the local supermarkets who had to be rushed to hospital after her head was battered by a gang of youths.

"Students are also being mugged in the street every week. Something has got to be done but I don't know if Business Watch will help.

"We need more police officers walking the beat."

George Brown, acting manager at Unwins off-licence in Burgess Road, said: "I've been with Unwins for three and a half years and visited 40 branches in the region and this is definitely one of the most dangerous to work at.

"The regular manager here has been off since just after Christmas when she was mugged just outside the store and I'm changing careers at the end of this week. I've just had enough."

Insp Gary Cooper, based at Portswood police station, said: "The forthcoming meeting will allow us to work with businesses to find out how we can tackle local crime together. There is a crime problem in Burgess Road, just like many similar sized areas in Southampton, but I think it's actually reduced in recent months."