IT only seems like five minutes since the children went back to school, but already half-term is looming!

We believe that keeping young people occupied and happy is key in reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour, which is why I’d like to tell you about a project the partnership is pleased to support – the Kick Racism Out of Football’s ‘One Game, One Community’ week of action from October 24-27. Wyre Forest District Council, Community Housing Group’s Neighbourhood Wardens, West Mercia Police’s Community Support Officers and the YMCA will be in various parks in the Wyre Forest area organising football activities with local young people.

To find out which parks are hosting the free football activities, please contact the district council’s sports development team on 01562 732974.

The main youth football tournament will be held on Friday, October 28 at Habberley Playing Fields, Habberley Road, Kidderminster from 11am until 2.30pm.

There will be two age-groups of teams for the tournament, 9 -11 years and 12 -14 years and registration starts at 10.30am.

To obtain an entry form and a parent consent form, please contact your local Neighbourhood Wardens, CSO or the YMCA.

There will be the opportunity to win various prizes, including signed photos of professional football players. The partnership will also be in attendance, so do come over and see us.

By the time this column appears in The Shuttle, the Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service will have already had their popular Home Safe Home events in Stourport and Bewdley, where you can find out more about services for older people and get your electric blanket safety tested, free of charge.

The good news is that the Kidderminster event is on October 5 from 9.30am until 3.30pm at the fire station, so there is still time to make an appointment. Please ring 01562 512612.

The community safety team had a busy and successful day at Stourport Carnival, attracting a lot of local residents and visitors.

During our summer events once again purse bells have been one of the most popular items on our stand. 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 event at Kidderminster on October 5.

If you’d like any more information about community safety, please call 01562 732929 or e-mail community.safety@wyreforestdc.gov.uk HELEN DYKE Chairman