Safer Streets Smethwick
In 2022, Sandwell Council was awarded funding from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund to target neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls, and anti-social behaviour in Smethwick. Tackling neighbourhood crime which can be upsetting and extremely intrusive to victims was core to the Safer Streets Fund. One of the goals of the Safer Streets Fund was to trial approaches to build evidence of what is successful in preventing and deterring these offences. The Safer Streets Fund has been used to make Smethwick residents feel safer, with improvements along Bearwood Road and the surrounding area. Some of this work has been highlighted below.
New CCTV Cameras
12 new high-tech CCTV cameras have been installed along Bearwood Road in Smethwick to improve safety for shoppers, businesses and residents. The cameras, covering all the main shopping areas with the highest footfall, are wirelessly linked to Sandwell Council’s CCTV control room, where they are monitored 24/7, 365 days a year by licensed operatives.
Business Radio Link Scheme
A radio link scheme has been launched with 12 participating businesses. It is envisaged that this will enhance communication between businesses and partners enabling the sharing of intelligence to support early detection of criminal activities and minimise incidents of local business crime.
Support for Residents
Victims of crime and vulnerable residents in the area are being visited by police and council officers providing crime prevention advice on how to keep themselves safe and their homes secure.
Lightwood’s Youth Hub
Sandwell Youth Services are engaging with young people in Lightwoods Park and the surrounding area forming a new Youth Hub at Lightwood House which convenes every Tuesday between 5.30 - 7.30 pm. Sessions which have been co-designed by young people alongside staff have included a focus on developing positive relationships and online safety whilst supporting young people to acquire new skills and increase their confidence.
Safe Spaces
A number of businesses and organisations in Bearwood have signed up to the Sandwell Safe Spaces Scheme. The scheme which is supported by Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police provides people with a space place indoors where they can wait if they ever feel unsafe while out and about in Bearwood.
Find out more about the scheme, including a map of where the Safe Spaces are
Crime Prevention Community Events
Several events have been held across Smethwick including in primary schools, places of worship, libraries and supported living accommodation where council officers alongside West Midlands Police have been providing advice and tips to residents for personal and home safety in addition to vehicle security.
Get Involved
A community-led StreetWatch programme is currently taking place in Smethwick. StreetWatch groups are made up of volunteers from local communities who patrol streets in their own neighbourhood providing visible reassurance and helping to deter crime and anti-social behaviour.
Find out more about StreetWatch and how you can get involved
Smethwick Safer Streets Newsletter
Stay up to date with what we're doing in Smethwick by reading the latest edition of the Smethwick Safer Streets Newsletter.