A CRIME prevention shop will be opening in Kidderminster town centre to help reduce the number of burglaries in Wyre Forest.

Officers will be taking over the former Holland and Barrett store in the Swan Centre from Tuesday next week until Saturday next week, from 10am until 4pm.

Police and community support officers from Safer Neighbourhood teams and partners from Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership will be giving out crime prevention materials and leaflets and promoting West Mercia's anti-burglary campaign Citadel.

Neighbourhood wardens employed by the Community Housing Group will also be offering property marking advice.

PC Andy Forbes said: "Burglary is a devastating crime, which often has a massive impact on victims. However many burglaries are opportunistic and could be prevented by a few common sense precautions.

"With the nights getting darker, it is well worth people taking a few moments to study their house in the way a burglar would, to consider where it is vulnerable.

“The most important thing is to ensure doors are locked and windows closed and locked where possible so they don't make it easy for burglars.

"Ensuring lights come on at dusk, keeping hedges trimmed so the house can be easily seen from the road, and securing side gates to prevent access to the rear of the property are all simple, quick and cheap precautions which can make a huge difference."

Helen Dyke, chairman of the Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership, added: "Protecting local residents and helping them to feel safer in their own homes and when out in the area are top priority for the partnership and we are very pleased to be able to support West Mercia Police with this important initiative."