HOME office minister Hazel Blears will launch a new crime reduction scheme at the Reebok Stadium on Tuesday night.

More than 1,700 people including business and civic leaders are expected to attend the meeting to hear how the Government intends to lower crime rates in the region.

She will give details of the "Redeeming Our Communities" initiative which will involve co-operation between the police, churches, and communities.

The meeting will also set out the police's targets and goals for the next 12 months.