AS the weather improves, car drivers are keen to open sunroofs and windows 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 and removing all valuables, including your expensive sat nav – and don’t forget to remove the sucker marks from the window as well.

If a potential thief sees the sucker marks, they will assume you have a sat nav and nine times out of 10, it will be in the glove box, boot or under the seat!

Car crime is rare in the Wyre Forest, but statistics show that it does increase over the summer months.

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.

Last month I told readers about an event planned to help raise awareness of the link between a rise in domestic abuse incidents and large sporting events.

The Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse, with support from Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team, organised a five-a-side football match called Euro 2012 – Tackle It! at Habberley Road Playing Fields on June 8.

Despite the awful weather, the Mayor of Kidderminster, John Aston, opened the event and teams turned out from Worcestershire Pathways to Recovery (two teams), Stonham and West Mercia Police to battle it out under the watchful eye of professional referee, Sasha Hobb.

After several tough games, Pathways to Recovery were the eventual winners and West Mercia Police Superintendent Adrian Pass was on hand to present the trophies, medals and certificates.

The event has been hailed a great success and we hear that the Pathways to Recovery teams, who were very proud of being a part of a local event held in their community, are now talking about starting a rugby team.

If you or somebody you know needs confidential help or advice, blow the whistle on domestic abuse and call 0800 980 3331 in confidence.

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 www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk for full details of the Summer Activities Programme – you can now book online. You could also check out www. plugandplay.org.uk.

If you would like more information about the Community Safety Partnership, please visit www.wfcsp.org.uk, email community.safety@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or telephone 01562 732929.

HELEN DYKE Chairman