Six weeks. Six towns. One safer Sandwell
For six weeks this summer, communities across Sandwell came together as part of Safer 6 2026, a borough-wide campaign bringing council services, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, health partners, community organisations and residents together with one shared goal: creating cleaner, safer and stronger communities.
From Oldbury, Smethwick, Tipton, Rowley Regis, West Bromwich and Wednesbury hundreds of residents engaged with events, activities, advice sessions, environmental projects and enforcement operations designed to tackle local concerns, improve wellbeing and strengthen neighbourhood pride.
One of the strongest themes throughout Safer 6 was partnership working.
Council services worked alongside West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Public Health teams, housing services, environmental health teams, community organisations, voluntary groups, businesses and local residents.
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Residents accessed free liver health checks, Safe and Well events, a men’s mental health walk, falls prevention support, smoking cessation advice, cancer awareness information, first aid training and CPR and bleed control training.
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Young people were at the heart of many Safer 6 activities including Youth Bus sessions, sports programmes, school engagement activities, Youth Trailblazer employment support and encouraging children and young people to complete the annual SHAPE survey.
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Oldbury hosted the opening week with a launch event, health checks, bike marking, youth engagement activities, fire safety visits, community litter picks, environmental improvements and anti social behaviour walk abouts with the police.
Watch our video from the launch event
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Residents participated in community litter picks, scam awareness workshops, lifesaving skills training, mental wellbeing sessions, youth activities and Safe Spaces awareness activity.
Watch our launch event video
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Highlights included road and rail safety sessions, fire safety visits, parking enforcement near schools, police engagement activity, environmental improvements and community litter picks.
Watch our launch event video
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Residents attended crime prevention events, hate crime awareness sessions, youth activities and community safety events. A multi-agency road safety operation with the police resulted in arrests, weapon recoveries and vehicle seizures.
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Residents took part in litter picks, mobile police stations, scam awareness sessions, hate crime awareness events, business safety walkabouts and CPR training.
Watch our launch event video
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Watch our Neighbourhood Services and Environmental Protection Teams carry out a targeted lift-and-shift operation in West Bromwich.
✅ 4 abandoned vehicles removed
✅ Engagement with local businesses regarding highway encroachment
✅ Action taken to address fly-tipping concerns
In Smethwick a multi-agency operation removed more than 10 vehicles, issued over £2,000 in fines, tackled obstructive parking and enabled cleansing works in hotspot areas.
Throughout the campaign, Safer 6 highlighted increased investment in anti-social behaviour services, additional officers, enhanced CCTV provision and the council’s new Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
Watch our video on how to report ASB
Thank you to every resident, volunteer, partner organisation, community group, councillor and member of staff who contributed to the success of Safer 6 2026.
Six Weeks. Six Towns. One Safer Sandwell.
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