A FORWARD-THINKING police force, which covers Bromsgrove and Droit-wich Spa, is set to fight crime via the airwaves.

West Mercia Constabulary will be one of the first in the country to introduce a state-of-the-art digital radio service.

The BT Airwave secure mobile radio will allow emergency services all over Britain to communicate with each other.

It is believed to be the most advanced system of its kind and will provide officers with a new national network to fight crime.

It will be rolled out across West Mercia's beat next year following a pilot scheme in Lancashire.

Emergency services will be able to share information and data immediately, particularly in the event of a major incident involving more than one force area.

Security measures mean eavesdroppers will not be able to listen in and the radios will be equipped with an emergency button to improve officer safety.

The contract to provide the service was awarded to British Telecom in February by the Police Information Technology Organisation, on behalf of the Home Office.

Programme manager of the force's new system, David Powell, said: "We will have the capacity to transmit voice, data and text messages by radio.

"The system will provide officers out on operational duties with direct access to the Police National Database via their sets.

"We welcome opportunities which enable us to give an improved service to people living in rural areas so officers operating in such locations can carry out their role more effectively."