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.