A CRIME prevention shop is opening in Stourport to encourage Wyre Forest residents to “Love Thy Neighbour”.

The one-stop community shop, in the former Animal SOS charity shop in High Street, will be open on Tuesday, February 19, to Saturday, February, 23 from 10am to 4pm.

The multi-agency shop will provide crime prevention information advice from West Mercia Police as well as advice from other organisations within Safer Wyre Forest – part of the North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership.

It will also give people the chance to share their community concerns.

PC Steve Yapp, of West Mercia Police, said: “As the shop opens just after Valentine’s Day, we decided to have a theme of Love Thy Neighbour this year.

“There is less crime in close-knit communities and good neighbours, especially those who are at home in the day, such as retired people, are invaluable in terms of keeping an eye on homes and vehicles, listening out for alarms going off and watching out for anything suspicious.”

He added: “Last year, a similar shop in Kidderminster, which had the theme Love Your Home, was a big success with lots of people dropping into to pick up leaflets and information and we hope the Stourport shop will prove equally popular.”

Justin Bryant, chairman of the Safer Wyre Forest operational group, added: "The one-stop community shop is a great opportunity for local residents and visitors to learn more about the things that they can do to help keep their homes and possessions safe.”