A SPECIALIST team of top performing police officers, created to specifically target persistent criminals in Bromsgrove and the rest of north Worcestershire, is celebrating having arrested more than 300 offenders in its first three months.

The uniformed support group (USG) was launched last November as part of the Government-led Local Policing initiative, which aims to tackle local problems at a local level.

The USG, which includes one sergeant and eight constables, has so far made 301 arrests. The group, made up of specially selected officers, provides high visibility patrols across all three districts of north Worcestershire, including Bromsgrove.

USG Sergeant Terry Shore said: "One of our main areas of work is tackling the concerns from the local communities about quality of life issues, particularly anti-social behaviour.

"The USG has also been involved in the execution of search warrants and played a part in Operation Jericho, a highly successful operation targeting drug dealers on Bromsgrove's Charford estate, as well as carrying out drug testing at nightclubs across north Worcestershire.

"The USG has a zero tolerance attitude towards anti-social behaviour and disorder, and will work tirelessly to bring to justice anyone who has committed crime, failed to attend court or failed to answer police bail.

"We are extremely pleased with how the first three months has gone, and we hope to maintain this high level of arrests, making north Worcestershire a safer place in which to work and live."