PEOPLE hoping to move into accommodation in Kidderminster's Hurcott Road might have to go through a traffic lights-style system of conviction checks in a bid to clamp down on crime on the estate.

Anyone flagged as "red" under the police categorisation system would be refused housing in the estate's flats and maisonettes, while green meant they could be allocated accommodation.

The local lettings policy was due to be outlined to Wyre Forest district councillors last night. The council's service policy panel considered the proposal, which was prompted by what a report to last night's meeting described as "serious management problems".

It added that the housing development had been subject to "stigma", partly by association with the nearby Horsefair area and because it was a high rise estate. The report also blamed what it called "exaggerated and lurid press coverage" of drug dealing and other criminal activity.

The various problems meant homeless people in priority cases accepted Hurcott Road accommodation reluctantly.

Despite the positive impact of the council's homeless support service, residents remained concerned about security and criminal activity.

A working group set up by the Community Housing Group had set long-term objectives which included providing affordable and attractive housing for local people.

Over a three-year period it was also hoped to reduce evictions by two per cent and cut anti-social behaviour. As part of district crime and fire reduction targets, achieving them could also generate £1 million in reward money that could be invested in more deprived areas of the district, such as Broadwaters and Greenhill.

The district council already has a local lettings policy in place at Broomy Close, Stourport, with Waterloo Housing Association, that has contributed to a reduction in anti-social behaviour and management problems.

The report said the number of people likely to fail the traffic lights test was small.

Police would categorise applicants as red for convictions for dealing or possession with intent to supply drugs, for convictions for burglary or robbery and three or more offences involving violence or criminal damage in the preceding three years.

Such applicants would be refused accomodation in Hurcott Road although that would not disqualify them from being rehoused elsewhere. They could be told why they were refused.

Amber-rated applicants would be determined by police surveillance indicating they might be involved in dealing in illegal drugs. The information could not be disclosed to the applicant and "careful consideration" would need to be given to whether an accommodation offer could proceed.