A PIONEERING campaign by West Mercia Police to crack down on opportunities for thieves and burglars to cash in on stolen goods -- and which will soon cover the Droitwich Spa area -- has won a major cash boost from the Government.

Home Officer minister Charles Clarke yesterday announced that the "We Don't Buy Crime" initiative is to get £512,440 under the Government's Targeted Policing Initiative fund.

Presently the campaign, to forge partnerships with businesses, councils and other agencies in a com-bined effort to close down opportunities for stolen goods to be passed on, is being piloted in Shrop-shire but the force plans to extend it soon to Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Det Ch Insp Clive Harding, head of the campaign, launched last Jun,e said: "We have already achieved considerable success, including 80 arrests together with the seizure of stolen property worth £2,700 and illegal drugs with a street value of £5,000.

"However, this grant will enable us to move up a gear in managing and marketing the campaign more effectively."

He added it was vital people appreciated that buying stolen goods perpetuates crime and mis-ery associated with drug abuse.

Among initiatives already underway include officers working with nightclub owners, car boot sale organisers and supermarkets who may unwittingly advertise stolen goods on noticeboards.