REDDITCH is leading the way with a pioneering project aimed at reducing the number of criminal cases dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Charging Scheme has been set up as a pilot to help police officers deal with cases more efficiently to ensure they get back on the beat quicker.

Officers can now access help and guidance after they arrest somebody from a solicitor based at Redditch police station.

Special casework lawyer Peter Tooke said: "Traditionally, police decided on the charge themselves but in quite a few cases the charge was not right or there was not enough evidence."

Mr Tooke said victims might have become upset if cases were prolonged or didn't go ahead because there was not enough evidence.

He added: "Equally, officers were spending time on cases which were never going to be successful.

"But now at an early stage, officers can consult with me and I can advise them on whether the case will go anywhere and make sure they have met all the legal criteria before a case goes to court.

"And as it's face to face, it cuts down on a lot of paperwork."

A police spokesman said Redditch was being assessed and was leading the way nationally in how the scheme should be managed and run.

Meanwhile, Solicitor General Harriet Harman visited Redditch Police Station on Monday as part of a whistlestop tour of the West Mercia force area.

Ms Harman heard how the CPS and police were co-operating on charging suspects, with prosecutors attending the station daily to advise police on whether a suspect should be charged.

She also visited Droitwich CPS to see how it was coping with domestic violence, rape and victims issues following the launch of the domestic violence, crime and victims Bill.