A TEAM of dedicated police officers has been set up to tackle offenders who commit about half of all crime in North Worcestershire.

The Prolific and Priority Offender team includes a detective sergeant and four detective constables who arrest and gather intelligence around the activities of the area's most prolific offenders.

The new team has been formed following a Home Office initiative called 'The Prolific and Priority Offender Scheme' which is led by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs).

In North Worcestershire the three district CDRPs (Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest), have formed one steering group to work together to tackle prolific offenders.

The meetings are held on a monthly basis and are led by acting Chief Inspector Stacey Williamson.

She explained: "It's estimated that of all crime that occurs, about one half of it is committed by 10 per cent of offenders. By working together we are looking at finding solutions to stop these 'career animals' and this means addressing all areas such as housing, education and health issues and not just the police who arrest the offenders and bring them to court.

"The Prolific Priority Offenders strategy, launched by the Home Office earlier this year, examines three strands of offending.

"The first part aims to 'Prevent and Deter' youngsters from becoming inolved in criminal or anti-social behaviour with the emphasis here being on education, health and youth organisations," she added.

"The next is the 'Catch and Convict' where the police take the primary role.

"Finally the strategy looks at ways of rehabilitating and resettling offenders with the prison and probation services taking the lead.

"By working together we are able to exchange information on offenders, establish patterns of behaviour and work together to try and prevent, convict and rehabilitate prolific offenders," said Chief Insp Williamson.

"We hope that this new work and the new team of officers will deal with the most prolific offenders who persistently commit crime and anti-social behaviour and who pose the greatest threat to the safety and confidence of our local communities."

Anyone with information about crime can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Calls are not recorded and a reward may be offered for information leading to the arrest and charge of a suspect.