A POLICE initiative launched a year ago to tackle repeat offenders has been hailed a success.

North Worcestershire police set up the Prolific and Priority Offender (PPO) last October after a Home Office report revealed 10 per cent of offenders are responsible half of all crime.

The aim of the team was to target this 10 per cent and reduce crime significantly.

DS Brian Russell, who leads the PPC team, said: "This team has gone from strength to strength."

At the outset, the team consisted of four dedicated detectives and one detective sergeant but due to its success has expanded to six detective constables.

DS Russell explained there were three elements to the scheme - prevent and deter, catch and convict and rehabilitate and resettle.

In the last year, more than 40 criminals across Redditch, Bromsgrove and Kidderminster have been identified as prolific.

"The advantage of this system is that because it has multi agency involvement, those offenders brought to justice under the scheme go through the judicial system as a priority and this reduces the chances of them re-offending," said DS Russell.