Two robberies have prompted a group of shopkeepers to sign up to a crime-fighting group.
Retailers in The Lanes, which includes St Martin's Square, are being encouraged to join the Citywatch scheme which combats thieves and troublemakers.
The scheme links shops to each other and to police by radio.
Its 250 members receive regular bulletins about scams as well as mugshots of known thieves and troublemakers.
Two businesses in the area were robbed recently.
Police said a man has been arrested in connection with the incidents.
Safer Leicester Partnership has provided £2,800 to enable 10 businesses in the area to join at reduced cost instead of the usual £560.
Andy Hall, owner of St Martin's Tea, Coffee and Cookware, signed up.
Mr Hall said: "We've had the radio for about a week now and it's working well for us because it links us with each other in The Lanes and St Martin's Square and with businesses across the city.
"The robberies made people here feel that it could happen to any of us and made us all think about more about our security."
Stuart Delahoy, owner of St Martin's Square designer shop Set, said: "We've been members of Citywatch for quite some time.
"I've talked about our positive experience to encourage our neighbours to join, too.
"The two robberies have brought crime prevention to the forefront for businesses here.
"Membership of Citywatch means we get the information we need to recognise and deter persistent shoplifters.
"We also get access to the website – which is updated daily – of other known street criminals."
"The police have been brilliant, too, because they spend a lot of time here.
"They have apprehended a lot of the people who have caused problems."
Graham Collins, intelligence officer at Citywatch, said: "There have been a couple of robberies in the area, which have caused concern among the businesses.
"This is a good time for businesses to be joining because the run-up to Christmas is a time when we tend to see an increase in shoplifting."
