Thousands of visitors to Athlone from all over Ireland and the Continent are to get further security from Christmas on when security cameras will be installed in the town.
The initiative for heightened security from the local Chamber of Commerce and other development groups received a welcome boost this week when the local authority agreed to provide £8,000 towards the cost.
It is expected that the security system, which will cost over £30,000, will be in place for Christmas.
Athlone's Town Clerk, Mr John Walsh, stressed that the town's business people had decided that the time had come to install such a system.
"It is not that Athlone has greater problems than any other town but the fact remains such a system will provide additional security in the town", he said.
He said Athlone had already seen the benefits of extra security after cruiser operators some years ago began warning their customers not to "overnight" in Athlone because of thefts from pleasure craft.
"At that stage we decided to do something about it and through FAS hired river wardens to look after security at the marina," he said.
"They have been doing a good job because since 1990 we have seen the number of people over-nighting in their boats rise from 500 in 1990 to 12,000 last year," he said.
"The new marina with its tight security has made a big difference to this trade which is vital for Athlone, especially in the summer time," he said.
The new marina has berths for 90 boats and is being used extensively by holiday-makers on the Shannon.
Mr Walsh said that Athlone is expecting a huge influx of shopping visitors into the town over Christmas, attracted by the new £20 million shopping centre.