IN the October column I talked about the White Ribbon Campaign, an international movement encouraging everyone (especially men and boys) to wear a White Ribbon and pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

This month I would like to give you an update on the coordinated local activity in Wyre Forest that will mark the campaign.

  • Safer Wyre Forest, the ContinU Trust and 10.32 Early Help are working together on a number of awareness raising events across Wyre Forest and Hagley. School staff and pupils will be encouraged to wear the White Ribbon and sign up to the online pledge.
  • Information stands will be on display in Wyre Forest and Hagley high schools, with Baxter College and King Charles I School hosting drama workshops funded by Safer Wyre Forest.
  • Primary schools will be encouraged to take part in a ‘Kind Hands’ project and 10.32 Wyre Forest Early Help will be organising story telling and craft activities for young children.
  • There will be a personal safety stand at the Co-op in Stourport on November 27 at 9am manned by Safer Wyre Forest and West Mercia Women’s Aid.
  • Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse, in partnership with the White Ribbon Campaign, has created the online “Worcestershire Pledge,” to encourage everyone to make the pledge not to condone or stay silent about domestic abuse. It can be found at white ribboncampaign.co.uk/worcestershire.

As you can see, there is a lot going on! The campaign runs from November 25 until December 10.

Christmas is firmly on the horizon and our towns will be getting much busier in the run-up to the big day.

Our Christmas campaign this year will feature a ‘Crime Free at Christmas’ pop-up Shop at 2 Blackwell Street in Kidderminster town centre (next to Foster’s jewellers). The shop has been kindly ‘loaned’ to us by the Swan Centre management.

The shop will be open from 9am-3pm on December 5-7 so please come along and take advantage of the free seasonal crime prevention advice on offer, have a free health check and enter the raffle!

For more information about North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, visit nwcsp.org or email saferwyreforest@wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

SUE HANLEY Chairman North Worcestershire Safety Partnership