Volunteers Continue To Fight Crime

Residents in Balsall Common can celebrate knowing their local crime fighters are able to continue helping keep them safe.

The Balsall Common Crime Prevention Group, which was set-up three years ago by local volunteers, has received £500 from the West Midlands Police Property Act Fund to help them continue carrying out crime prevention activities across Balsall Common, Hampton-in-Arden and Meriden.
As well as the group of volunteers assisting in the running of the police shop in Balsall Common, Monday to Saturday from 11am to 12.30pm on a rota basis, the group also promotes and helps local residents set-up Neighbourhood Watch schemes. Additionally they organise meetings for local people and businesses to discuss issues and concerns affecting the community.

In the photo: Sergeant Tony Hanlon with Cedric Lea. In the background; volunteers of the Balsall Common Crime Prevention Group)
Sergeant Tony Hanlon, of the Meriden and Bickenhill neighbourhood policing team said: "We are very pleased to be able to support the hard work of the Balsall Common Crime Prevention Group. Their commitment to reducing crime and keeping people safe is recognised very much by the Meriden and Bickenhill neighbourhood policing team as well as by local residents and shopkeepers."
The money received from the Police Property Act Fund will help fund crime prevention initiatives, crime prevention articles in local magazines and also the cost of room hire for meetings.

Cedric Lea, one of the main organisers of the Balsall Common Crime Prevention Group said: "The Balsall Common Crime Prevention Group has previously never received any kind of funding. This money will enable us to buy security devices when needed, such as window and shed locks that will help keep the vulnerable members in our community safe."
"As well as running crime prevention initiatives, a total of 30 volunteers within the group take it in turn to man the police shop that enables local people to voice matters of concern such as anti-social behaviour and suspicious vehicles."
The Police Property Act Fund is as a result of the sale of property, which has been in the possession of the police for more than 12 months, including items seized from criminals where the original owner cannot be traced.

Meriden Sector Community Identified Priorities - What are They?

As we have now moved into our new way of working at Solihull, the dedicated neighbourhood teams are really focusing on what our communities are saying is important.

If it is an issue that the team can deal with themselves, they will resolve it as quickly as they can and feedback to the community that raised the issue.

Where it is something that takes a little longer and requires help from our partners and even the community themselves then we will raise it as a priority and take it to a multi-agency local meeting which meets once a month. At the meeting a plan can be put together involving all the agencies including how long we think it will take to resolve. If it helps, a concerned member of the community can attend the start of the meeting to explain how the priority is impacting on them and their community. It is vital that we maintain contact with the affected community and let them know how we are progressing; we will also keep our websites updated with progress.

So how can you help? Please just tell us about the issues that are bothering you - it is vital that we understand what they are and how they are impacting on you.

Visit our website www.solihullpolice.org.uk and check out when our next meeting is in your area or contact your local neighbourhood team.

Our current priorities identified by you are;

• Blythe - Anti-social behaviour and damage in Shelley Farm
• Smithswood - Anti-social behaviour in Burtons Park Road
• Marston Green - Anti-social behavior and theft in Willow Way
• Kingshurst & Fordbridge - Anti-social behaviour and drugs in Bosworth Drive
• Chelmsley Wood - Anti-social behaviour in Raglan Way
• Bickenhill & Meriden - Anti-social behaviour in Alspath Road.

Contact the team if you think there is an issue we are missing.

Finally if you have any thoughts on the best way for us to meet and talk with you I am keen to hear from you