WELCOME to the last column from the Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership. From April, the WFCSP will become the North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership.

This is because Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest community safety partnerships have joined forces.

Safer Wyre Forest, Safer Bromsgrove and Safer Redditch will be the names for the groups delivering local projects, all co-ordinated by the North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership.

Now that we are all working together, it will be easier for us to deliver projects across the whole of North Worcestershire, avoiding any duplication and making best use of our available resources.

We look forward to a new phase of challenges, opportunities and a different way of working, which will still include our monthly column in The Shuttle.

The Easter break will soon be upon us and many people may take the opportunity to leave the cold weather behind and take a holiday in the sun.

If you are one of the lucky ones, please remember to leave your home secure as you head off to the airport. The last thing you will want on returning is to find your home has been broken into.

Most burglaries happen because criminals see easy opportunities to enter homes. A house that looks unoccupied and insecure is far more likely to be targeted than a property which is secured.

Make it as difficult for them as you can and please remember some basic security advice: l Make sure your house is secure and doors and windows are locked.

  •  Set your house alarm.
  •  Don’t leave your curtains closed, unless a neighbour will be coming in to open them for you.
  •  Use timer switches to turn lights and a radio on and off to make it look as if you are still there.
  •  Cancel papers and milk. Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on the house and even park on your driveway.
  •  Secure gates and all sheds and outbuildings and store ladders out of view.

We hope that everyone will have a crime-free Easter break and that the weather improves for those of us left at home.

For more information about the partnership, please visit www.wfcsp.org.uk for more crime prevention advice, please visit www.westmercia.police.uk.

JUSTIN BRYANT Chairman of the WFCSP Operational Group