Vulnerable resident safeguarded
While running crime prevention events in Smethwick, Sandwell Council’s Community & Business Crime Engagement Officer, alongside the Smethwick Neighbourhood Police Team, spotted an alleyway where it was suspected suspicious activity was taking place.
Following examination of the site, it was found that a vulnerable resident’s outbuilding was being used by other people who were taking drugs, drinking alcohol and causing anti-social behaviour.
Working together, Sandwell Council teams and police were able to safeguard the vulnerable resident and clear the area of rubbish and clinical waste.
Sandwell Council agrees five-year contract with charity to support domestic abuse victims
Sandwell Council has announced a five-year agreement with Black Country Women’s Aid to provide accommodation and support for victims of domestic abuse and their children.
Sandwell Council Leader Kerrie Carmichael said: “Domestic abuse is unacceptable and anyone suffering from this should know that this is not their fault and that help is available 24/7 at any time of year. We are delighted to be partnering with Black Country Women’s Aid to provide this vital service to those experiencing domestic abuse. If domestic abuse is happening to you, it’s important that that you tell someone – you don’t have to wait for an emergency situation to find help.”
Black Country Women’s Aid Chief Executive Sara Ward added: “We are really honoured and immensely proud to be the Sandwell delivery partner for domestic abuse refuge services. We look forward to this continuing partnership to improve lives for victims of violence and abuse."
Read more about this support in our press release.
Crackdown on County Lines
Sandwell Police alongside partners including Sandwell Council’s Community Safety Modern Slavery Team conducted nine drugs warrants during a County Lines crackdown week.
This saw 18 arrests being made for drugs-related offences and knives and a stun gun were recovered by officers. £20,000 worth of heroin and cocaine and £400,000 of cannabis were removed from the streets of Sandwell during the week earlier this year.
There were also high visibility patrols with dogs and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations taking place looking for people moving drugs by road. British Transport Police and Safer Travel supported teams by identifying any drugs runners using the rail system or bus networks.
Sergeant Dave Rogers, from Sandwell Police, said: "Our teams also reached out to the children themselves with more than 800 youngsters at schools around the borough hearing about the dangers of being drawn into drugs networks. And our work here in Sandwell continues every week, to bring down the drugs lines and, alongside partners in local authorities, health and charities, to help divert our young people who are vulnerable to County Lines exploitation away from criminal gangs and on to brighter futures."
If you suspect modern slavery, report it to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or the police on 101 or email modern_slavery@sandwell.gov.uk. In an emergency always call 999. Don't leave it to someone else. Your information could save a life.
Undercover operation catches illegal alcohol sales
During an undercover test purchase operation in West Bromwich by Sandwell Council's Trading Standards, three out of four shops visited were caught selling alcohol to a 15-year-old volunteer.
Two of the shops were issued with advice and a warning. The other shop is now facing criminal investigations as it had previously also failed a test purchasing operation.
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Injunction issued following abuse of council housing officers
In December 2022, following a visit to a property in Rowley Regis, two housing officers were verbally abused and threats were made against them by a man.
Sandwell’s CCTV Control Room captured the incident on CCTV, sharing this footage with the council’s dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Team which went to court to secure an injunction against the man to prevent his threatening behaviour.
Find out more about anti-social behaviour and how you can report it.
Safe Spaces information stand at Sandwell College
Sandwell Council’s Community Safety Team alongside West Bromwich Business Improvement District (BID) visited Sandwell College to raise ongoing awareness of the Safe Spaces scheme in West Bromwich town centre among students and staff.
Safe Spaces are buildings in West Bromwich town centre such as shops, libraries and other organisations where a member of the public can go if they feel unsafe outside. They are places where they can call and wait for a family member or friend, for example, to collect them, or for the police to arrive.
Safe Spaces provide a safe place indoors for anyone who may feel vulnerable, distressed or worried while out and about in the town centre.
93% of students and staff felt that having a Safe Spaces scheme in West Bromwich town centre makes them feel safer.
More information including where the Safe Spaces are located in West Bromwich.
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Safeguarding Champions training in schools
Well done to our latest Sandwell Safeguarding Champions (SSC) who have completed their training.
SSC is a project designed by Sandwell Council's Prevent Team to find students as champions for safeguarding in their own setting.
SSCs receive age appropriate training and are rewarded with a certificate, a contract, stationery and a badge.
So far, there are 76 SSCs from primary schools trained, 32 SSCs from secondary schools and 10 SSCs from Sandwell College.
A big thank you to the students and educational settings completing the training, putting themselves forward to contribute to their own and collective safeguarding efforts. We look forward to seeing, hearing and sharing their progress.
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Crime prevention community events In Smethwick
A number of crime prevention events have been taking place across Smethwick at various locations including Bearwood Hub, Abbey Primary School, Bearwood Baptist Church, Brushstrokes, New Beginnings, Thimblemill Library and Smethwick Pantry.
Sandwell Council’s Community Safety Team, working with the Smethwick Neighbourhood Police Team, have been engaging with local residents, providing advice and tips on how to keep themselves and their property safe while also giving out free personal and home security items.
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Boxing mentoring programme for Sandwell pupils
BoxClever Mentoring has seen pupils from various Sandwell schools work on achieving positive wellbeing through boxing training over a 12-week programme.
Students enrolled on the programme by their schools have been supported by their boxing coach in improving their physical, social, emotional and mental health alongside other young people. Sessions are based in schools or at the boxing gym.
BoxClever Mentoring is also running community sessions at West Bromwich Leisure Centre every Tuesday from 4pm to 5.15pm. These sessions are aimed at 11-16 year olds and are FREE of charge, with fruit and water provided for all.
If you would like to find out more, please contact Craig Jones at cjboxclever@gmail.com
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Street racing is banned in the Black Country
Street racing, also known as ‘car cruising’, is banned in the Black Country by an interim High Court injunction.
It covers the whole of Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton and prohibits people from participating, as a driver, a rider or a passenger, in a gathering of two or more people at which some of those present engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.
Anyone breaching the injunction will be in contempt of court and could face penalties including imprisonment, a fine or an order to have their assets seized.
For more information visit our street racing webpage.
Incidents of street racing should be reported online to the council or to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.
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Useful links
For more information on where you can find support in Sandwell if you have been the victim of an abuse or crime, whether this is recent or was a long time ago, read more about Sandwell support services.
Find out how to get involved and play your part in making your community even safer.
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