BROMSGROVE town centre's Pubwatch scheme is to be relaunched as part of an action plan to improve the quality of life for people living and working in the area.

The move follows a decision by Bromsgrove's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) to set up an action group to look at town centre issues.

The group, which includes councillors, local business representatives and other agencies, has agreed to tackle four issues following its first meeting.

Action group and CDRP chairman Chief Inspector Charlie Hill said: "The top four issues identified as affecting quality of life were alcohol-related disorder, shoplifting, boy racers and anti-social behaviour and community pride and ownership. The group will now look to address the issues and we have already decided to relaunch the town centre's Pubwatch scheme. We will revamp the Shopwatch scheme to ensure everybody is on board."

The officer added: "We have already carried out one operation targeting boy racers and we aim to carry out more in the future. With regards to community ownership and pride we want to improve communication with each other so that success stories and good news can be shared."

A team of police officers, including one sergeant, a beat manager and three constables, has also recently been set up specifically to cover the town centre.

Chief Insp Hill added: "I believe people living and working in Bromsgrove town centre will soon begin to see improvements from the work carried out by the action group.

"In the future I hope to have similar action groups in other areas across the district such as Wythall and Rubery," he added.

The new group is set to meet every six weeks.