THIS month I’d like to tell you about a scheme the partnership has set up to address the issue of house burglaries in the local area.

The Home Security Scheme was launched in January 2009 and has helped over 200 residents.

Although house burglaries are low in the Wyre Forest area, compared to the national average and are continuing to drop, we know that people can still worry about it happening to them.

The Home Security Scheme is one part of the partnership’s strategy to reduce burglary even further and also offers reassurance by providing advice and basic home security products free of charge. The products offered could include light timer switches, window alarms and door chains. Advice will be given on the products best suited to your requirements and information on how to use them.

Any products that need fitting will be professionally fitted free of charge. The scheme is being supported by the Community Housing Group and West Mercia Police.

If you’d like to know more, please contact Community Safety on 01562 732929 or e-mail community.safety@wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

The Community Safety team had a busy and successful day at Stourport Carnival, sharing a gazebo with Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue and attracting a lot of local residents and visitors as well.

Over the summer events, purse bells have been one of the most popular items on our stand. It is a very simple idea (often the best!) – two little bells on a clip that fasten onto your purse, so that if someone tries to remove it from your handbag, a warning jingle is heard.

This is often enough to deter opportunistic thieves. People also put them on their handbag zips as well. If you’d like one, we’ll be at the Home Safe Home events, organised by the Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service, where you can drop in to find out more about services for older people.

If you would like your electric blanket testing, please ring 01562 512612 for an appointment. Home Safe Home was at Bewdley Fire Station this week and will be at Kidderminster Fire Station on October 6 from 9.30am - 3.30pm.

HELEN DYKE Chairman, Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership