Joining forces for safer neighbourhoods
From Councillor Mrs Diana Holl-Allen, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities on 03 November 2009
Residents have joined forces with Safer Solihull to create a community garden to be proud of.
A grassy area in Brickhill Drive, Fordbridge, has been transformed to stop quad bikers using it as a race track.
Residents, school children, police, Solihull Council’s neighbourhood team and environmental champions, charity Groundwork and the borough’s anti-social behaviour team run by Solihull Community Housing were all involved in planning and planting the garden. Young residents have also volunteered to look after the garden.
The partnership project was used to launch Not in My Neighbourhood Week, which runs from Monday 2 November, to Friday 6 November. The national campaign aims to promote what is being done to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and encourages people to work together to keep our streets safe.
Councillor Mrs Diana Holl-Allen, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “This community garden is a fantastic project. It will make a huge difference to residents, providing them with pleasant, attractive space.
“We can only tackle crime and anti-social behaviour by working together and that’s what Not in My Neighbourhood Week is all about.
“An enormous amount of work is being done every day to make communities safer. We hope this will not only make residents feel safer but also encourage them to get involved.”
Other activities being undertaken to tackle crime and disorder include:
• Public safety days are being run by Safer Solihull to highlight to shoppers what we’re doing to make the borough a safer place. Police, fire and council officers will be at Morrisons in Solihull, from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Tuesday 3rd November in Mell Square in Solihull from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday 4th November, at ASDA in Chelmsley Wood from 10am to 2pm on Thursday 5th November and in Hobs Moat Road in Solihull from 11am to 3pm on Friday 6th November.
• A clean up event is taking place in the garage area at the rear of Mockley Wood in Knowle. It will involve clearing dumped waste, painting out graffiti, painting garage doors and cutting back overhanging vegetation.
• Clear up days have also been organised at the rear of the shops in Balsall Common, the rear of shops in Marston Green and at a pond off Sandhills Crescent in Solihull.
• Police officers will be going into schools around Solihull town centre to security mark bicycles.
Anyone who wants to help make their community safer can join Neighbourhood Watch by calling 0121 704 8577 or they can become an Environmental Champion by calling 0121 704 6534.
For media enquiries only call Gemma Hume on 0121 704 6444
Email: ghume@solihull.gov.uk