CAR crime is rare in Wyre Forest, but statistics show that unfortunately, over the summer months it increases.

As a partnership, we are not complacent and we know that these crimes can have a detrimental effect on people and communities, long after they actually happen.

We are absolutely committed to keeping vehicle crime offences to a minimum.

As the weather improves, car drivers are keen to open sunroofs and windows after the long, cold winter and it’s easy to forget to close them when you leave the car.

This is a great opportunity for the unscrupulous amongst us to take a look and see what they can help themselves to – and they will!

Once again, this summer the Community Safety Partnership will be urging Wyre Forest residents to ‘Empty Your Car Before a Thief Does’ – this means locking your car, removing all valuables, including your expensive sat nav, and don’t forget to remove the sucker marks from the window as well.

When leaving your car in a superstore car park, make sure your vehicle is parked in a well-lit area and is secure, especially if it’s early in the morning or late at night. If you can park your vehicle, in particular motorbikes and mopeds which are easy targets, in a garage overnight, that would be ideal. Please never leave power tools in vans over night.

Out and about: Bewdley Carnival went well and the weather was fantastic – a far cry from last year.

I couldn’t be there this year, but the team tell me that there was a lot of interest in the joint Community Safety Partnership and Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service stand.

It was good to see our colleagues from Targeted Youth Support & SPACE attend and they did some excellent work engaging with local youngsters, playing games and talking about how drink and drugs can affect them.

For drugs and alcohol advice and support for young people under 19 years of age, please contact SPACE on freephone 0800 169 60 64.

Calling all mums, dads and carers! To plan for a fun and safe summer, there are lots of great activities to help keep kids busy. Take a look at wyreforestdc .gov.uk for full details of the Summer Activities Programme – you can now book online.

Other websites to check out are plugandplay.org.uk and whatson worcestershire.gov.uk HELEN DYKE Chairman