A GROUND-BREAKING scheme uniting residents, businesses, schools and churches in the fight against crime has been launched.

The pilot initiative - overseen by the police - aims to cut anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the Newtown area of Stourport, which has suffered a rise in crime since Christmas.

Stourport beat manager PC Jon Harris said although Newtown was generally no worse than other areas there had been more vandalism of vehicles and houses while Stourport High School had twice been burgled and Stourport Baptist Church had seen its windows repeatedly smashed. district councillor Jill Fairbrother Millis and PC Jon Harris outside vandal-hit Stourport Baptist Church.

Now fliers are being delivered to some 850 houses around Minster Road to urge residents "not to turn a blind eye" to crime and by next month a Community Action Group of about 12 key community representatives will be in place to canvass opinion and draw up priorities.

It is the first such scheme in the district and if it proves successful it will be applied to other parts of Wyre Forest and the county.

Mr Harris said extra police patrols were just one possible solution and stressed the action group would concentrate on long-term answers to disorder such as working with young people and not "quick fixes".

"Everybody's idea of a cure to the problem is let's just flood the area with police but what we'll be seeking to do is to analyse the problem and look at different types of long-term solutions," he said.

The action group would bid for funding to improve anything from street lighting to youth facilities.

Partners in the project are set to include traders, Stourport High School, Wyre Forest Community Housing, Newtown's two churches, youth workers and district and county councillors as well as the police.

Wyre Forest district councillor and Brindley Street resident Jill Fairbrother Millis said the environment was a key priority.

"People have identified that living in a litter and graffiti-free clean environment without fear of crime is a major priority," she said.

Action group members will receive police training about how to use "lateral thinking" to address issues.

To get involved contact Mr Harris on 01562 820888 (extension 3511) or Mrs Fairbrother Millis on 01299 827625.