INNOVATIVE crime-fighting and safety schemes pioneered in two villages are to get a district-wide launch.

Wyre Forest's Neighbourhood Watch Committee was replaced with a new Police and Community Support group, which will incorporate NW, at its annual meeting.

The group will operate in partnership with the police under the banner "crime cannot flourish in a community that cares".

Sue Savidge, chairman of Churchill and Blakedown Neighbourhood Watch and Mobile Patrols, formed the new committee following the resignation of the existing group.

She said NW co-ordinators had "expressed concern at the lack of effective communication across the district".

"We are therefore taking an initiative to introduce changes and to inject new ideas and enthusiasm into Wyre Forest Neighbourhood Watch," she added.

The group aims to implement successful schemes including mobile patrols, datalink, and providing isolated homes with Ordnance Survey grid references, throughout Wyre Forest.

Mrs Savidge is planning to "breathe new life" into the district association by restructuring it into new areas - Wyre Forest East, Wyre Forest West, Stourport, Kidderminster East and Kidderminster West.

The PCS committee will attend meetings of the West Mercia Neighbourhood Watch Association and "provide a structured approach to crime reduction and reduce fear of crime".

Mrs Savidge wants to spread the success of the Churchill and Blakedown "prototype", which she says has included reducing the drug problem and providing police with information leading to the arrest of burglars, car thieves, vandals and arsonists.

And she issued a rallying call to co-ordinators and people wanting to set up Neighbourhood Watch groups to contact her to get the ball rolling.

"It's not going to be shoved down people's throats but it will be much more proactive," she said.

Mrs Savidge can be contacted for information on 01562 701016.