A CAMPAIGN has been launched to help drive down crime for residents in Headless Cross and Oakenshaw.

The Smartwater campaign, launched by Redditch and Worcestershire County Councillor Roger Bennett, will see Smartwater kits given away for free in the hope it will help prevent crime in people's homes.

The campaign is being supported by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion and Inspector Mark Chappell from the local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

It will see kits available for collection from St Luke`s Memorial Hall in Headless Cross on Thursday, March 22 from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, Friday, March 23 1.30pm to 5.30pm, and Saturday, March 24 10am to 5pm.

Cllr Bennett said the initiative is in response to an increase in local crime.

He said if it proved successful it could be the launch pad to see it rolled out in other areas of Redditch.

"If you are concerned over your house being broken in to and your precious items stolen, please come along and receive full instructions on the use of this widely recognised prevention method," he added.

Cllr Bennett is funding the free kits from his divisional funds allocated by Worcestershire County Council.

Assisted by PSCO Tom McCorry and his team, Cllr Bennett will be visiting residents next week to discuss the campaign.

Police boss Mr Campion said: “Smartwater is proven to prevent burglaries, and it is already acting as an extremely effective deterrent across West Mercia. By protecting these additional homes in the areas of Headless Cross and Oakenshaw we are working to make even more people feel safe and secure.

"By preventing the crime from happening in the first place we are protecting people from becoming victims of crime as well as saving a significant amount of money.”