Sutton Coldfield Strategic Partnership

The Sutton Coldfield Safer, Stronger Communities Local Delivery Group has been operational since December 2004. There is representation on the group from the following agencies:-

• West Midlands Police
• West Midlands Fire Service
• Birmingham City Council (Sutton Coldfield Constituency)
• Youth Services
• Environmental Services

• Reduce fear of crime and arson
• Increase community participation
• Improve the environment by making it cleaner, greener and safer
• Enhance quality of life

It is fair to say that the group realises that community participation is a vital element in trying to address their priorities. There are a few examples of how the group are having successes within this particular area. Most recently, the group funded a football project in Banners Gate. The project was set up in order to provide worthwhile activities for youths who were hanging around on the streets. As a result of this, a team was formed, crime was reduced in the area and the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator running this project won the prestigious West Midlands Neighbourhood Watch Award for his efforts.

Another good example of trying to increase community participation can be demonstrated by the allocation of office space at Sutton Coldfield Police Station. This is to be used jointly by Neighbourhood Forum & Watch representatives. The group believes that this will help enhance working relationships between all parties. More importantly, it will no doubt help to drive down crime and reassure people.

The group also has active dialogue with each of the five Neighbourhood Management Tasking Groups which have recently been formed within the constituency. Again, this helps to enhance working relationships and also ensures that local issues are addressed in a timely manner. West Midlands Police are fully committed to the theme of partnership working. Firstly, they seconded Sergeant Wills to work alongside Lewis O’Rourke for a period of 9 months. This proved to be successful. Sergeant Paul Ditta is currently working alongside Lewis O’Rourke for a period of at least 6 months. Sergeant Ditta is hoping to help further improve upon ways in which each of the agencies and members of the community can work alongside each other in order to help reduce crime and the fear of crime.

A wide range of interventions have been agreed and funded by the group. These include the following:

• Taxi Marshals – these are helping to ensure that late night revellers are using licensed taxis and arriving home safely. They also help to prevent disorder by managing to quickly help revellers disperse from the town centre. The marshals helped to reduce disorder by 94% over the Christmas and New Year periods in 2005.
• CCTV in Sutton Park. This will help reassure park users and help to drive down crime and the fear of crime.
• Drugs operations throughout the constituency. High visibility operations will take place throughout the year in order to apprehend and prosecute any offenders. It will also send out a strong message that drug use will not be tolerated.
• Test purchase operations will take place in order to ensure that licensees are not selling alcohol to underage drinkers. Any being found to do so will be prosecuted.
• The group has provided each of the Neighbourhood Forums within the constituency with a grant in order to help them fund any community safety related interventions.
• The group has made a sizeable contribution to the McDonald’s Youth Café in the town centre. The café provides a base for youngsters to meet during school evenings.
• Karate Club in Walmley

Sutton Coldfield Safer Stronger Communities Local Delivery Group is now seeking to continue further building upon its already excellent working relationship between themselves and the various community groups. This approach has been proven to work. The group looks forward to continuing with this successful approach in the forthcoming 12 months.

Contacts

Further information may be obtained about the work of Sutton Coldfield Safer Stronger Communities Local Delivery Group by contacting Lewis O’Rourke, the Constituency Community Safety Coordinator on 0121 464 7575 or via e-mail at lewis.orourke @birmingham.gov.uk.