A CAMPAIGN has been launched a crackdown on organised crime.

West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police has today (Monday, September 10) launch Protect - our new campaign to tackle Serious and organised crime (SOC) and the harm it causes to communities.

Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans, of West Mercia Police, said: "Serious and organised crime has a real impact on our communities, and addressing this complex threat is an absolute priority for the force.

"We all have a role to play in reducing this impact and tackling those responsible."

Local Policing Priority Teams (LPPTs) are being established to target problems specific to communities, be it relating to drugs, burglary, modern day slavery, economic crime or fraud.

A police spokesman said: "Using new ways of working we will relentlessly pursue those involved to disrupt and dismantle their criminality, making sure they are not just put before the courts but also stripped of their ill-gotten gains.

"LPPT officers will be key to intelligence gathering and responding to dynamic incidents, such as those involving county lines drugs dealing and acquisitive crime; and will work closely and collaboratively with other agencies.

Throughout the next four weeks, we will be highlighting a range of activity and operations taking place across both force areas."

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/westmerciapolice or www.twitter.com/WMerciaPolice