AN assault on the market in stolen goods - half of which are sold to buy hard drugs - has been launched by Kidderminster Police.

"We Don't Buy Crime" was unveiled yesterday at a Kidderminster hotel as the division became the first in the country to "go live" with the initiative to clamp down on the trade in stolen property and so disrupt the flow of hard drugs.

The first arrests under the scheme were made last week when eight people were detained and £20,000 worth of stolen property, including lawnmowers with a value of £10,000, was recovered on Friday. Det Insp Adrian Todd with some of the goods seized last week.

Det Chief Insp Mark Williams, the officer leading the programme, warned there would be many such arrests and said the maximum penalty for handling stolen goods - 14 years' imprisonment - was more than the 10 years thieves could get.

"We're aiming to get the message across to the whole community that buying stolen goods increases the likelihood of thefts and burglaries occurring and helps keep the drugs supply network going," he said.

Mr Williams claimed research has shown one in 10 people between 16 and 60 have bought items they had either known or thought to be stolen.

"That's 10,000 people in Wyre Forest. We've got to make an impact on some of those people - even if it's one in 10.

He added: "Half of the money from selling stolen goods is going to pay for the thieves' and burglars' next fix."

"We Don't Buy Crime", piloted in Shrewsbury for two years, also involves groups such as Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest Community Housing and schools. PC John Challoner poses with the "We Don't Buy Crime" handprint logo which will be appearing on bill boards, posters, and police cars across the district.

"They can help to reinforce the message across the community, even if it's just putting up a poster. I see this going on for several years - talking to people they've got a real buzz for it."

Anyone with information on stolen goods can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.