News Bulletin from the Neighbourhood Management Team Central Area

Rural Neighbourhood Newsletter Dec 2014

1. Welcome

Welcome to the Solihull Rural Neighbourhood Area Newsletter for December 2014.

2. General News

Defibrillators In last month’s newsletter we mentioned that communities can get support to introduce defibillators. We have now learned that redundant red phone kiosks can be used to house these - click on the link below http://www.communityheartbeat.org.uk/adoptatelephonebox.php. Additionally we may have a redundant kiosk which could be re-located from the town centre. Please let me know if you are interested.

THE government has unveiled £25m in funding to provide hundreds of minibuses for rural communities . The scheme will support voluntary organisations as they provide vital services for people in rural communities with limited transport choices. Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the new fund meant that organisations which already provided a service to the local community could bid for a minibus. Mr McLoughlin said: "As a rural MP I know how important community bus providers are and how much they matter. These groups help keep rural communities alive and independent. We want to do all we can to support local voluntary operators who help out in these areas. This large amount of money is to help those who already do so much to support their community. Smaller operators and those who help out in rural areas will be favoured in the scheme. Community Transport Association chief executive Bill Freeman welcomed the funding. Many organisations, particularly smaller ones serving their immediate neighbourhoods, struggle to put aside money to replace vehicles. This will come as welcome news to them, and will enable them to continue to improve the lives of many vulnerable and isolated people by offering them accessible and affordable transport”. The fund is focused on existing voluntary and third sector organisations that already have a permit to run not-for-profit services of benefit to the local community. Each bidder will be able to apply for one vehicle. They will need to undertake that the vehicle will be used only for voluntary services and will not be used to compete for bus service contracts. Full details of how the scheme will operate and the information charities will need when applying will be set out shortly.

Good News on Crime Usually Solihull sees a significant increase in Total Recorded Crime during the month of November. As you can see from the attached chart the levels for November 2014 remained under 1000 victims of crime for the month.

Solihull Citizenscape What is it: Solihull Citzenscape is a website which draws together live data feeds taken from social media (such as Facebook, Twitter or blogs) and websites. What’s in it for me? It is intended to be a community online hub for Solihull and allows people who are active in their communities to connect to and help each other. It can also help you to get your messages out to a wider audience. Where to find it: http://www.solihull.citizenscape.net/

of 7 Rural Neighbourhood Newsletter Dec 2014

Who to contact: If you have any questions about Solihull Citizenscape please contact the Solihull Partnership team on: 0121 704 8258 or [email protected] WMP Collaborative Working Update

Collaborative approach by Solihull Police, Solihull Council and SCH Lea Littleford and Roger Catley from the Transformation Team have been working with Inspector Emma Thompson and Inspector Jayne Goodridge at how the Police, Council and SCH can work more closely together, with the initial focus being on neighbourhoods and vulnerable people. To date, the Team have spoken to officers from these agencies and also external stakeholders. They have been attending meetings, such as the PSP, and gathering ideas. Chris Edgell and Dave Turton have been collating case studies as part of this process. The Team are particularly keen to hear from you with regards to any quick wins as part of this process, opportunities for closer working and any frustrations you currently experience whilst working with these services. If you have any suggestions or comments please email [email protected]

Become a ride leader and support your local Solihull Wheels for All Project ! Would you like to learn how to lead and supervise bicycle rides on and off-road? Would you like to volunteer on our Solihull Wheels for All sessions? We need you! This one day FREE course combines theory and practical elements to cover route planning, risk assessment and ride management. For further information on the project please visit http://www.solihullactive.co.uk/initiatives/Solihullwheelsforall Thursday 26th February 2015 09:30 – 16:00 Tudor Grange Leisure Centre Bikes can be provided, and all participants receive a full course manual. To book your place, please email [email protected].

Neighbourhood Activity Programme

Neighbourhood Activity Programme Manager Neighbourhood Services 0121 704 8339 [email protected] @NAPSolihull

Environment Champions For any enquiries e-mail: [email protected] or call: Christopher Edgell - 0121 704 8517 mobile - 07884236021 Nicola Arrowsmith – 0121 704 6673 mobile - 07770646832

For further information about the Neighbourhood Activity Programme, please contact David Turton Neighbourhood Activity Programme Manager Neighbourhood Services 0121 704 8339 [email protected]

3. Priorities

Frosty Mornings Frosty Mornings will soon descend upon us and residents may be tempted to defrost their cars by leaving their keys in the ignition, with engines running on the driveway, whilst they sit inside the house and finish their early morning cup of coffee. However, vehicle thieves are aware of this and in the past have stolen cars from driveways in this area. Please be aware that insurance companies are highly unlikely to pay out if vehicles are stolen in these circumstances. We are urging motorists to use alternative methods of defrosting their vehicles by using De-Icers, Scrapers and even windscreen covers. Please remain with your vehicle at all times when it is insecure.

4. Ward News

Blythe Ward

Neighbourhood Matt 0121 [email protected] Coordinator Gardner 7046573 Neighbourhood Dave 101 ext [email protected] Police Sergeant Saunders 7928 6666 Marcus 0121- [email protected] Crockett 779-1515 [email protected] and ASB Officers Gemma Ashington

 There has been a slight increase in Theft from Motor Vehicle and Theft of Motor Vehicle in the Blythe and Dickens Heath area over the last 2 weeks. Officers will be patrolling on foot, in marked and plain cars. Alarm systems fitted to vehicles are a good deterrent but you may wish to consider other forms of protection for your vehicle. Please ensure that your vehicle is locked and secure before you leave it unattended, check your fob has done its job.

 SMBC carried out a clean up of the fly-tipped area inside the gates of the garden square development lot in Dickens Heath which will make the site look better. Health and safety improvements, including increased security have also taken place organised by the Dickens Heath Management Company.  Resurfacing of Tythe Barn Lane has been taking place this week to improve the surface and life of the carriageway.

For details of Ward meetings with the NPT see the West Midlands Police website www.west- midlands.police.uk Dorridge and Hockley Heath Ward

Neighbourhood Tom Rogers 0121 [email protected] Coordinator 704 (Dorridge) 6425

Neighbourhood 0121 Matt Coordinator 704 [email protected] Gardner (Silhill) 6573 Neighbourhood Dave 101 ext [email protected] Police Sergeant Saunders 7928 6666 Marcus 0121- [email protected] Crockett and 779- [email protected] ASB Officers Gemma 1515 Ashington

 There has been a slight increase in day time house burglaries over the last week in Dorridge and Hockley Heath whereby offenders are gaining access to rear gardens and smashing rear windows with bricks or other blunt type instruments. Once in the premises small items are being stolen such as jewellery and electrical goods. Officers are conducting high visibility mobile patrols in the area and conducting stop checks of any persons acting suspicious.  Partners are monitoring the new Sainsbury’s development for parking and any other snagging issues. Parking enforcement officers have been paying regular visits to Dorridge and giving tickets to drivers parking on the new pavements and public realm areas.  The nomad surveillance camera erected at Bentley Heath Rec car park has continued to be successful in deterring noise, litter and anti-social behaviour. For details of Ward meetings with the NPT see the West Midlands Police website www.west- midlands.police.uk Knowle Ward

Neighbourhood Tom Rogers 0121 [email protected] Coordinator 704

(Dorridge) 6425

Neighbourhood Dave 101 ext [email protected] Police sergeant Saunders 7928 6666 Marcus 0121- [email protected] Crockett 779- [email protected] ASB Officers and Gemma 1515 Ashington

 There has been an increase in Theft from Motor Vehicle in the Knowle area over the last month. Officers will be patrolling on foot, in marked and plain cars. In Longdon Road Knowle an air bag was stolen from a BMW through an unknown means of entry. Two males were subsequently arrested by Solihull Police in the vicinity of the offence locations. They are currently on Police bail whilst further enquires are being made to see if they are connected to the above offences.  A meeting took place between members of the PC and Street Association.org to see whether a Street Association can be established in Chadwick End; this would provide a social and practical network for residents to come together and support each other.  NPT are looking into a joint speed operation in Chadwick End with Warwickshire Police through the village.

For details of Ward meetings with the NPT see the West Midlands Police website www.west-midlands.police.uk Meriden Ward

0121 Neighbourhood Bruce Brant 704 bbrant @solihull.gov.uk Coordinator 6435 101 ext Neighbourhood Craig Hurst 7922 [email protected] Police Sergeant 6286 Marcus 0121- [email protected] Crockett 779- [email protected] and 1515 ASB Officers Gemma Ashington

 The NAP team have agreed additional skate provision for the Thursday of February half term 2015 (weather dependant) at Lavender Hall Park. Sessions will take place between 12- 3pm and will be supported by the NAP and Parks Team, who will continue to consult and build relationships with the young people.  The NPT are doing all they can to deter burglary in the area, by patrolling on bike, foot and by car, they are asking residents to be vigilant and follow these burglary prevention tips:

*lock all doors and windows before leaving the house. *if you have a house alarm set it before leaving the house *leave a light on before leaving the house during the evening *report suspicious people via 101. NPT will continue to keep observations for suspicious persons around resident’s properties and all victims will receive a visit from their local neighbourhood officers.  Theft from shops and theft of petrol amount for a large portion of the crime in the Meriden area. This type of crime pushes up crime statistics giving bad impressions of the area. We are sure residents would agree that our are nice safe places to live, so the police are doing their best to make our crime statistics reflect positively on the fantastic reputations that our villages already have. The NPT are carrying out proactive policing by visiting the local shops and delivering crime reduction posters. High visibility patrols have/will be conducted on petrol station forecourts. Meetings will be held with the area managers of our top offence locations to discuss crime reduction strategies. For details of Ward meetings with the NPT see the West Midlands Police website www.west- midlands.police.uk

5. Ward Contact List

Neighbourhood Manager Kath Hemmings 0121 704 6358 [email protected]

Police Inspector Meriden Inspector Alan Green 101 meridensector@west- ext 7922 6520 midlands.pnn.police.uk

Neighbourhood Police Sergeants Blythe, Dorridge, Sergeant Dave Saunders 101 ext 7928 6666 blythe@west- Hockley Heath & midlands.pnn.police.uk Knowle or knowledorridge@west- midlands.police.uk Meriden Sergeant Craig Hurst ext 7922 6286 bickenhill@west- midlands.police.uk

Rural Area Neighbourhood Coordinators Blythe Matt Gardner 0121 7046573 [email protected] Dorridge & Hockley Tom Rogers 0121 704 6425 [email protected] Heath Tom Rogers 0121 704 6425 [email protected] Knowle Meriden Bruce Brant 0121 704 6435 bbrant @solihull.gov.uk

ASB Hotline The hotline for reporting anti-social behaviour is available Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm. If you experience anti-social behaviour or hate crime incidents and want to report it, call 0121 717 1500.

Safer Travel Report nuisance or ASB on the public transport network as part of the See Something Say Something campaign text “Bus” “Rail” or “Metro” leave a space, then tell us details with time, date, location and route number to 83010, or use the self-reporting facility at www.safertravel.info or call 101 and ask for Safer Travel.

Solihull Active Solihull Active improves lives through sport and physical activity by inspiring communities to be more active, more often. To find out about activities in your area:

Web: www.solihullactive.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/solihullactive1 Email: [email protected] Tel: (0121) 704 8201

West Midlands Fire Service For Fire Safety advice contact www.wmfs.net or freephone 0800 389 5525 For more information or to arrange a free Home Safety Check, phone 0800 389 5525 or visit www.wmfs.net

West Midlands Police – Neighbourhood Policing http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/solihull/yourneighbourhood/index.asp