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

The Prolific and Priority Offender Team includes a detective sergeant and four detective constables who will target offenders in Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest.

The team has been formed as part of a Home Office initiative and will be led by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Acting Chief Insp Stacey Williamson said: "It is 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 criminals 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 which was launched by the Home Office earlier this year examines three strands of offending.

"The first part aims to 'prevent and deter' youngsters from becoming involved in criminal or antisocial behaviour with the emphasis here being on education, health and youth organisations.

"The next area is the 'catch and convict' where the police take the primary role and finally the strategy looks at ways of rehabilitating and resettling offenders with the prison and probation services taking the lead."