 Have your say on PSPOs consultation
We want your views on how we can prevent and tackle nuisance drinking and dog mess, as well as barbecues and fires on public land in Sandwell.
We all want to live in a pleasant place where people treat each other with courtesy and respect.
We have to renew our Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) every three years – so for nuisance drinking, we’re looking to renew a current order and for dog mess we’re looking to strengthen a current order.
A PSPO around barbecues and fires on public land is a new proposal.
Complete the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) survey online by Thursday 16 November.
New CCTV cameras in Bearwood
New high-tech CCTV cameras have been installed along Bearwood Road in Smethwick as part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund to improve safety for shoppers, businesses and residents.
The 12 cameras cover all the main shopping areas with the highest footfall.
They are wirelessly linked to Sandwell Council’s CCTV control room, where they are monitored 24/7, 365 days a year by licensed operatives.
Councillor Syeda Khatun, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said: “It’s great to see this investment in Bearwood which will help improve safety in the area for all those living, visiting or working there.
“People should have the security and confidence that comes from having a safe street and a safe home, and this is central to our Safer Streets project in Bearwood. It’s great to see the project up and running to help make everyone feel safer.”
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New Lightwoods Youth Hub
Youth workers from Sandwell Young People's Services have been engaging with young people in Lightwoods Park and formed a new Lightwoods Youth Hub. Young people aged 11-19 have been learning about online safety, positive relationships, substance misuse and more through activities which they have helped design and deliver.
It was identified that learning martial arts could raise confidence and self-esteem in addition to other benefits. Staff organised weekly kickboxing sessions which have helped young people to work on their confidence. These have been thoroughly enjoyed by all.
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Crackdown on illicit tobacco trade
A joint operation by Sandwell Council alongside partners at Walsall Council and West Midlands Police saw illegal cigarettes, tobacco and disposable vapes with a retail value of around £322,000 seized from a shop in Sandwell and a residential property in Walsall.
The property and shop were visited after intelligence was received regarding the supply and sale of illegal tobacco.
The seizures from the property included 176,060 illegal cigarettes, 98.9 kg of illegal hand-rolling tobacco and 782 illegal disposable vapes. Many of the disposable vapes seized contained 9,000 puffs when the legal limit is approximately 600.
Tobacco bought on the illegal market is more likely to be the result of organised criminal activity with links to human trafficking, drugs and even terrorism.
Community Understanding Extremism event
The Sandwell Prevent team hosted another Community Understanding Extremism training event in July. Around 50 people attended which included representatives from organisations such as Vodafone, Yemeni Community Association and Durga Mandir.
Community members learnt about extremist narratives proposed by the ideologies of the Far Right and Global Jihadism along with the processes of radicalisation, and how this can take place, specifically in the online world.
Thanks to everyone who joined the event and also to House of Chaii in Tipton who sponsored the event with delicious samosas and tea.
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Online safety sessions
Sandwell Prevent delivered a number of online safety sessions to groups in Sandwell including at the annual Sikh camp at Guru Har Rai Gurdwara, West Bromwich, to more than 200 young people.
The session focused on raising awareness around the radicalisation process, along with providing young people with critical thinking skills to help filter between fake and real news. The session also explored how extremist groups will use social media platforms to gain membership and momentum online.
The young people raised important questions around how to overcome challenges they experience online, specifically with the rise of new platforms such as TikTok and Telegram. All group were made aware of support they can access in Sandwell, including from Sikh Helpline, NSPCC and the Prevent Team.
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Sandwell hate crime awareness video
Three local community organisations, Proud Baggies, European’s Welfare Association CIC and Sandwell Visually Impaired came together in collaboration with Sandwell Council and New Union, a local civic organisation, to produce a video to raise awareness of hate crime.
The video also highlights the support organisations can provide to victims of hate crime as well as the importance of reporting hate crime.
Is someone you know experiencing domestic abuse?
When someone is experiencing domestic abuse, it may take the person a long time before they will talk about what they are experiencing.
There is an information leaflet for friends, family and work colleagues who are worried about someone they know suffering from domestic abuse.
The leaflet provides information on how to support victims of domestic abuse and services available to safeguard them.
More information on domestic abuse support
Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centres
Did you know you could report hate crime at places within your local community known as Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centres who would then forward this report to the police for you?
Staff at the Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centres have received specialist training to support victims or witnesses of hate crime to report this.
They can also help you access support from dedicated hate crime victim services to help you feel safe once more in the aftermath of a hate crime. Our network of Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centres in Sandwell includes libraries, places of worship, local council offices and community organisations.
Find out more about hate crime and where the Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centres are.
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Six ways to keep your vehicle secure
You can reduce your chances of falling victim to car crime by taking a few extra precautions.
West Midlands Police have provided six top tips:
- Make sure your car is locked in the first place
- Do you have an alarm, tracker and immobiliser?
- Secure against the ‘Relay Attack’
- Secure your car keys
- Link your security system to your smartphone if the vehicle allows
- Wipe stored info from a car you’re selling
Links
Find out how to get involved and play your part in making your community even safer, including signing up for free WMnow messages.
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
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