A MASSIVE pioneering project to clean up a Bromsgrove estate of drugs is underway.

Operation Jericho has been launched in Charford to look at the whole picture surrounding drug-related crime, from environmental issues to the rehabilitation of offenders.

As a result of the multi-agency operation, residents could see a cleaner estate and feel safer.

Det Chief Insp Sean Paley said: "We are looking at an area where there are a lot of crimes carried out to fund people's drug addictions such as credit card theft, theft of and from cars and shoplifting.

"But this operation is not just about going in there dealing with the offenders and then going away again.

"It's about dealing with the problems from the onset, looking at the reasons behind them and resolving them. We want Charford to be a community where people work together in harmony."

The operation will involve the police, Bromsgrove District Council, Bromsgrove Community Safety Partnership, Multi Agency Resource Centre, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust and the public.

DCI Paley added: "We will be looking at everything including rubbish and graffiti and how it impacts on the community.

"We want to provide reassurance to Charford residents, we want them to be safe and feel safe.

"But we need the public to work with us and report any problems."

Debbie Roberts, manager of the Multi Agency Resource Centre, in Humphrey Avenue, said she wanted to provide on-going support for those with drug addictions.

She said the centre could offer counselling and alternative therapy such as acupuncture.

Bromsgrove District Housing Trust senior housing officer Claire Lowe added: "We will work with the police to close down properties used for drug dealing and in cases where tenants are in breach of their tenancy agreements we will, if necessary, evict them."