Bournbrook Community Safety Project is hosted by Selly Oak Caretaker Society and has been working in the area since July 1999. The project is supported by volunteers and part-time workers who are committed to the area and share the aim of creating a safer Selly Oak for the future.
In the past, Selly Oak had suffered from higher than average burglary rates. In 2001, there were 503 burglaries in the Selly Oak Ward but through working in partnership with local agencies including the University of Birmingham, West Midlands Police. West Midlands Fire Service, and Birmingham City Council, there were 20% less burglaries experienced by the residents of Selly Oak in 2005.
The area has a high proportion of shared student housing that tend to be commonly targeted by burglars. In order to assist in reducing the risk of burglary, Birmingham Community Safety Partnership has provided funding to Bournbrook Community Safety Project. This money has been used to improve the security of housing in the Selly Oak area by providing free security improvements to over 200 vulnerable properties. The security improvements include door locks, window locks, door chains, door viewers, smoke detectors.
The project has also upgraded security on 3 student halls of residence and installed or refurbished rear entry gates to protect over 100 properties.
Pedal Cycle Protection
Bournbrook Community Safety Project has also been successfully involved in a Pedal Cycle Theft Reduction Scheme which is led by West Midlands Police, in the Selly Oak area. Unfortunately, it is again students from the University who tend to be victims of this kind of theft. The scheme provides discounted locks to students and staff at the University, together with acid etching to prevent cycles from being stolen.
Bournbrook Community Safety Project is also active in other areas of the City, working in partnership and providing expertise on a range of community safety issues.
Click here for more information on Selly Oak District LDG.