More than 10,000 We Don't Buy Crime property marking kits have been provided to communities across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire since the start of the year.

Earlier this year the initiative received a further boost with additional funding from West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion. and since January 1, another 11 parishes have signed up to We Don't Buy Crime.

First launched in 2015 We Don't Buy Crime is West Mercia Police's response to tackling offences such as burglary and theft.

Since Cleobury Mortimer became the first town to sign up, more than 60 towns and villages across the force's three counties have joined the scheme which sees whole communities protected with SmartWater forensic technology.

West Mercia Police's Chief Superintendent Tom Harding has led on the initiative since its inception four years ago. He said: "The area covered by West Mercia Police is some of the safest in the country however one thing I have always been conscious of is the affect crimes such as burglary and theft have on victims of crime, it is often these sorts of crimes that have the biggest impact.

"Taking steps to prevent burglary and thefts in the first place is really important and I'm delighted that since the start of the year so many kits have been provided to our local communities to help protect them from thieves."

In designated We Don't Buy Crime areas, SmartWater kits are handed out to local residents so they can protect their home and valuables - marking items with the forensic property marking liquid means if it is stolen police can identify it as stolen making it easier to identify thieves.

The liquid also leaves an invisible mark on the skin only visible under a UV light. The kits also include window stickers warning thieves that items inside the property have been marked.