POLICE and council staff are planning to ‘blitz’ streets in Sandwell in an attempt to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

The ‘Street Week’ initiative will see police and local authority officers knocking on residents’ doors for five days to uncover problems which need tackling.

Residents can raise issues from fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour to housing problems.

Alan Caddick, director of housing for Sandwell Council, told members of Safer Neighbourhoods and Active Communities Scrutiny Board the scheme would tackle crime and reassure local people.

He told councillors: “I have been discussing with the Chief Constable Dave Thompson that where we know we have particular areas or hotspots, for a week we will flood that street.

“Along with police and enforcement officers we will go into those areas and blitz them for a week.”

He added: “This is also about getting people to work with us because intelligence in tackling crime is very important.”

The project is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks, once research had identified suitable areas.