Sandwell’s Safer 6 campaign is now underway, with the first launch event taking place in Oldbury to mark the beginning of six weeks of action across the six towns of borough.
The event brought together a wide range of partners, services and residents, giving the community an opportunity to meet local teams, learn about available support, and find out how organisations are working together to keep Sandwell safe.
Sandwell Council would like to thank all partners and agencies involved for their continued commitment to supporting residents and strengthening communities. Safer 6 is now in its first week, with coordinated activity already taking place to tackle key issues including crime, anti-social behaviour and environmental concerns. Further activity and engagement events will continue in towns across Sandwell in the coming weeks with Rowley Regis happening next week.
Partners are clear in their shared commitment: there is no place for crime and anti-social behaviour in Sandwell, and agencies will continue to take visible, robust and collective action to address issues and protect residents.
Councillor Bob Jones, Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement, said: “Safer 6 is about taking visible, coordinated action where it matters most – in our communities. By bringing together council services, police and partners, we can tackle issues like anti-social behaviour and environmental crime head-on.
“Just as importantly, it shows residents that we are listening and taking action to keep Sandwell clean, safe and a place we can all be proud of.”
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, of West Midlands Police and Chair of the Safer Sandwell Partnership, said: “Safer 6 is a vital opportunity for us to work side by side with Sandwell Council and our partners as we do all year round, to address the issues that matter most to local people. Our officers will be out in communities, taking action against crime and anti-social behaviour while also building trust and strengthening relationships with residents.
“By working together, we can make a real difference in keeping Sandwell’s neighbourhoods safe and ensuring people feel confident and supported where they live.”
Andrew Shakespeare, Group Commander, Black Country South, West Midlands Fire Service said:"West Midlands Fire Service is proud to support the Safer 6 initiative and work alongside our partners to help make communities across the Black Country safer. Campaigns like this demonstrate the value of agencies coming together to tackle local concerns, engage directly with residents and promote safer behaviours.
"While emergency response remains a key part of what we do, prevention and education are just as important. By working closely with local authorities, police, housing providers and community organisations, we can help identify risks early, provide support where it's needed and contribute to creating safer neighbourhoods for everyone. We look forward to continuing our involvement throughout the campaign and supporting the collective effort to improve community safety.”
By continuing to work in partnership and alongside residents, Safer 6 aims to build safer, stronger neighbourhoods across Sandwell.
Residents can view full details of events and activities taking place in their town, along with regular updates throughout the campaign, by visiting:
www.sandwell.gov.uk/safer6
Picture caption (above)
Back Row: (L-R) Inspector Westley Smith , North Sandwell Neighbourhood Policing Manager, West Midlands Police, Andrew Shakespeare, Group Commander, Head of Black Country South, West Midlands Fire Service, Amrit Jhitta, Acting Neighbourhood Inspector for Sandwell South
Front Row: Shokat Lal, Chief Executive Sandwell Council, Councillor Ray Nock Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Margaret Sutton, Mayor of Sandwell Council and Councillor Bob Jones Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement.