THIS month I wanted to provide you with some highlights of the Partnership’s activities over the last year. We have… n Continued helping to ensure that there are less victims of crime in Wyre Forest. When comparing the 2009/10 financial year to 2008/09, there have been 344 less offences of all crimes, 126 less domestic burglaries, 39 less thefts of vehicles, 70 less thefts from vehicles and 132 less criminal damage offences. There have also been 117 less reports of anti-social behaviour incidents.

n Supported over 167 vulnerable residents and victims of burglary through our Home Security Scheme, which offers established Secured by Design-approved home security products, provided free of charge to the occupier. This district wide service is available by a referral from a Police Community Support Officer or a Neighbourhood Warden.

n Recently arranged a week of action in Market Street concerning litter and anti-social behaviour. Working with our partners we provided advice and made people aware that they could receive a fixed penalty notice for dropping litter. We also carried out environmental visual audits of the area and funded some new cigarette bins, which carry our logo.

n Been supporting local community groups through the provision of small grants. We’ve helped events such as the Friends of St George’s Park ‘Bark in the Park’, Party in the Parks and the Stourport bridges clean-up project.

n Begun to refresh the Wyre Forest Hate Incident Partnership, which aims to increase awareness and enable residents to report incidents in a comfortable environment. The Worcestershire Hub is a reporting centre along with other community based locations.

n Completed refreshing our Partnership Plan for 2010/11 and identified priorities and actions for the year ahead. The priorities are young people, violent crime, tackling acquisitive crime and improving environmental quality. We will also be focusing on improving our communications with all members of the community.

For more information on the activities of the Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership visit wyreforestdc. gov.uk or contact the WFCSP Support Team by emailing community.safety@wyreforest dc.gov.uk or telephone 01562 732929.

HELEN DYKE Chairman