 CCTV Control Room helps police in knife crime case
In March, Sandwell Council's CCTV Control Room supported police in relation to a stabbing that had taken place on a street in West Bromwich.
With the police identifying a perpetrator and taking them into custody, the CCTV Control Room was able to track the individual's movements on CCTV and provide information to police colleagues to help with their investigation.
The CCTV Control Room also helped to keep residents safe during Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin earlier this year, with cameras and staff monitoring locations and buildings at risk.
And the team also supported Environmental Protection Officers to identify fly-tipping incidents, resulting in £400 fines for those responsible, and supply footage relating to dog fouling and breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).
Resident prosecuted for causing nuisance to neighbours
A West Bromwich resident who ignored warnings from Sandwell Council and a Community Protection Notice ordering her to remove all animal faeces and rubbish in her garden was convicted in her absence at court.
The council received complaints from neighbours about the mess and horrible smell coming from the garden, which could have up to 20 cats roaming around in it leaving excrement and urine. This would stop neighbours opening windows or stepping into their own gardens. Despite this and court orders being issued to clean up her garden, the resident took no action.
Although the resident did not attend the court hearing in February, the breaches of the Community Protection Notice were proved in her absence. She was fined £600 in total, ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge and also £1,140 in costs.
Tenant evicted for anti-social behaviour
Sandwell Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Team evicted a tenant in West Bromwich.
The council secured a possession order in the County Court at Walsall following the tenant's violence and aggression towards council staff and councillors and repeated breaches of an anti-social behaviour injunction order, for which the tenant had also been jailed.
The court also ordered that that tenant pay rent arrears of more than £4,000 and the council's court costs of £1,795.
Sandwell Safeguarding Champions are back
Sandwell Council's Prevent team has re-launched the Sandwell Safeguarding Champions (SSC) project in schools, following a break due to Covid-19.
SSC is a project to develop students as champions for safeguarding in their own school, with students providing support for their peers.
Champions receive age appropriate training followed by a certificate, a contract, stationery and a badge. 128 students have been trained across 11 schools and Sandwell College.
The Sandwell Prevent team would like say thank you to the schools and all students who have completed the training this year.
Sandwell Prevent community networking
In March, the Prevent team hosted a community networking event at Brasshouse Community Centre in Smethwick to raise awareness of radicalisation and extremism. More than 25 people from various organisations attended.
Guest speakers included a person who had been through the Prevent/Channel process with discussion around the support received from West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit (WMCTU).
Other topics covered included new and emerging ideologies and new research linking some vulnerabilities between domestic abuse and radicalisation.
National Stalking Awareness Week 2022
We marked National Stalking Awareness Week (25-29 April), which this year had the theme Bridging The Gap.
Stalking is a type of abuse that leaves no marks or scars but can cause victims to experience fear and loss of freedom.
Stalking does not just occur when a person leaves a relationship. Victims can be stalked while still in a relationship with a controlling partner. This can make separation very difficult.
A range of support is available for anyone affected by stalking – including from Black Country Women's Aid which provides a range of services and support to women and men experiencing domestic abuse from all communities, ethnicities and backgrounds. Alternatively there is a male service called Ask Marc for men and boys who have experienced domestic abuse, rape and sexual abuse.
Birmingham LGBT Centre can also provide a range of support services for LGBT victims visit..
You can also contact the Sandwell Council Housing Team on 0121 368 1166, Option 2 for Housing Solutions or email: housing_choice@sandwell.gov.uk
More domestic abuse information is available online.
 Safe Spaces scheme launched in West Bromwich town centre
The Safe Spaces Scheme in West Bromwich town centre was launched in March at British Heart Foundation in Princess Parade. The scheme provides people with places to go and wait for support if they ever feel unsafe while out and about in the town centre.
A number of businesses and voluntary groups have already signed up to be Safe Spaces and have received training. Thank you to all those supporting this scheme.
The scheme is supported by Sandwell Council, West Midlands Police and West Bromwich Business Improvement District.
Find out more about the scheme, including a map of Safe Spaces in the town centre.
Links
Find out how to get involved and play your part in making your community even safer.
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