WOULD you like to help keep your place safe and looking good, meet new people and get involved with your community?

Participating in local schemes, organisations and events can build stronger communities by helping to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as contributing to your own well-being.

Neighbourhood Watch is the largest voluntary crime prevention group in the country. Neighbours, police and local partners come together to build safe and friendly communities. By joining, you can help to reduce fear of crime and improve your local environment.

To find out about setting up a group in your area or joining an existing one, visit ourwatch.org.uk.

In addition, Partners And Communities Together (PACT) meetings give residents the chance to discuss issues with local policing officers and other partner agencies, who then work together to address them. Visit westmercia.police.uk/pact to find out more.

You may consider volunteering with West Mercia Police. Police Support Volunteers assist in vital day-to-day work undertaken by police officers and staff to improve the service provided. If you prefer more action, Special Constables are volunteers who work alongside and have the same powers as regular officers to help police their communities. Interested? Please visit westmercia.police.uk/getinvolved/.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service also offer volunteering opportunities, as they participate in a broad range of safety initiatives in local communities. You could help them and your local community by promoting fire safety awareness messages. For further information call the Volunteer Coordinator on 01905 368 228 or email volunteer@hwfire.org.uk.

There are also other volunteering opportunities and events addressing other local issues regularly posted on The Community Action Wyre Forest website. Check out communityactionwf.org.uk/volunteering for more details.

Finally, some good news! A recent survey has indicated that Wyre Forest residents’ view of anti-social behaviour in their area has changed.

Fewer people felt that there was a problem with all aspects of anti-social behaviour compared to 2012. In particular, the number of residents in Wyre Forest who felt that vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to properties and vehicles was a problem in their area fell by over half.

The safety partnership works hard to tackle anti-social behaviour and help you feel safe. For more information, visit www.nwcsp.org Follow us on Twitter! @saferwyreforest

SUE HANLEY Chairman North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership