THE arrest of four people in Redditch town centre for offences related to supplying drugs is the latest success story since the launch of pioneering community policing meetings six months ago.

Officers swooped last week following information received at recent Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings in the town.

The first PACT meeting was held in Redditch in November and then rolled out across the district in January. Meetings are monthly and sees a panel of representatives from the police, local authority and county council tackle residents' concerns.

So far, 66 meetings have been held, attracting 1,900 residents who have asked for help dealing with issues such as mini motos, drugs, antisocial behaviour, criminal damage and roads, drains and litter.

Divisional PACT co-ordinator, Pc Andy Holliday, said: "The reason why it is working so well is accountability - because a name is put against an issue to be dealt with. That person must come back to the community the following month to say what's being done.

"Anything that's a priority in the community can be dealt with by this process, not just crime matters. For instance, too many learner drivers using a particular street was voted in as a priority and tackled, that's how diverse it can be."

Police are hoping PACT will soon reach an even wider audience following a successful trial meeting for students at St Augustine's High School.

Meetings will soon be rolled out at other high schools in the district and there are also plans to hold sessions specifically for members of the black and ethnic community.

Looking ahead, Pc Holliday said: "The challenge is to sustain it and increase the attendance. It's a community meeting, not a police or council meeting, and it's there for the community to engage with us and help us deal with the things that matter to them."

And Redditch Council's community safety manager, Angela Heighway, added: "We have fully supported and engaged with the PACT process and have seen it as being a real opportunity to listen to and deal with community issues on a local basis."