INFORMATION about any criminal activity going on in Redditch is to be passed on to more than 60 neighbourhood watch schemes in a pioneering project using email.

South west police sector beat manager Pc Richard Waterhouse hopes contacting co-ordinators via email will be a far more efficient way of sending and receiving information.

There are about 60 neighbourhood watch schemes in Crabbs Cross, Headless Cross, Webheath, Astwood Bank and Callow Hill.

Pc Whitehouse said: "This is not just about the police, it is about working together and sharing information to resolve issues within the community.

"Members of the community are our eyes and ears and we need them to tell us what's going on. But equally if there are a spate of burglaries in the area we can get that information out by email quickly so people are aware and vigilant."

He said telephone calls were used to contact neighbourhood watch co-ordinators at the moment but quite often the pyramid broke down.

He added: "As yet I don't know how many co-ordinators will be on email. But I will make sure those who are not will be kept in the loop."