WELCOME back to Safe and Sound, Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership’s monthly column.

Recently there has been a slight increase in offences where goods left on show in cars have been targeted by thieves. As a precaution, we would like to remind Wyre Forest residents that there are simple measures everyone can take when leaving their car unattended, which could help to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of car crime. Please remember to remove items which are on show, close the sunroof and windows and lock all the doors. We are still getting reports of cars being broken into because items – which may not seem that desirable to the owner, but are tempting to an opportunist thief – are clearly visible.

This can mean broken windows or damage to canvas soft tops (cabriolet), a huge inconvenience and expense to any car owner. If you have a sat nav, always remove it from the car and wipe away any marks from the suckers used to attach it. If thieves see tell-tale sucker marks on the windscreen or dashboard, they will guess that it’s somewhere inside and likely to be in the glove box or the boot!

I would like to update you on the Community Payback (unpaid work) initiative which was the focus of last month’s column.

Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership has joined forces with West Mercia Probation Trust to offer local groups a team of Community Payback workers to carry out a project that will benefit the community.

We had a really good response from local groups and residents and are now in the process of informing applicants which projects have been chosen.

Work will be carried out in the Walshes area of Stourport, and the Horsefair, Broadwaters and Greenhill areas of Kidderminster over the next few weeks.

If you would like more information about Community Payback, please go to www.westmerciaprobation.org.uk National Personal Safety Day 2012 is being held on October 8 and the campaign is called Tech No Chances.

Technology is a wonderful thing that few of us could see ourselves doing without. When it comes to personal safety, it can be of great benefit in helping everyone to keep in touch.

However, there can be risks associated with some technology, so this campaign highlights practical, common sense precautions people can take to ensure their personal technology works for them, not against them.

More information about the campaign can be found at www.suzylamplugh.org 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 Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership