How can you get involved?
The Prince's Trust - for 16 to 25 year olds.
West Midlands Police are working closely with the Princes Trust programme and Wolverhampton College to offer a free development course for 16 - 25 year olds.

The course is run from Brownhills police station and lasts for 12 weeks.

The programme is designed to improve and develop skills and offer further education and training to help the attendees find work.

It is a personal development programme which, through practical support including training and teamwork in the community, helps them realise their potential whilst developing their confidence, motivation, communication skills and self esteem.

The students build a portfolio of certificates through various activities, including a week spent taking part in team building challenges. They are also required to take part in a community project, for which they must help raise funding. They practice interview techniques, learn how to write a CV and complete two weeks work experience.

At the end of the course the students deliver a presentation to family and friends which is usually very emotional and a credit to their achievements.

The Team Leaders for Brownhills are PC James Ellingworth and PCSO Karen Baker. Commenting on the programme PC Ellingworth said: &'The students work very hard and gain valuable life experience through the course.&'

&'Through the support given by the Prince's Trust, the young people have new goals and ambitions. It is a pleasure to work with them and see them achieve so much.&'

For more information on the Team Programme or how to take part please call one of the team leaders on 07919 411 156 or visit the website at www.wolvcoll.ac.uk/princes_trust.

Set up your own Neighbourhood Watch

Set up your own Neighbourhood Watch, a proven way to reduce crime.

Households in active neighbourhood watch schemes tend to experience less crime as they are more aware of their personal and home security and pay more attention to what is going on in their street.

Regular contact with neighbourhood policing teams brings greater awareness of what is going on in their area. In addition, being part of neighbourhood watch brings other benefits, for example:
'Relay' messages - the relay system is a free automated messaging system that is used to send out crime prevention and other messages to neighbourhood watch co-ordinators.
Regular newsletters.
Access to other services, offered by the Home Office, Safer Walsall Partnership and West Midlands Police
Cheaper home insurance!
Neighbourhood watch street signs available free of charge.

You can be assured of plenty of support from the police and fellow co-ordinators. The amount of work involved is minimal, and setting up a scheme is very easy.

To find out more or to arrange a face to face meeting ring Kevin Pitt on 01922 439103 or email him on k.pitt@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk. You can also visit the Neighbourhood Watch website at www.ourwatch.org.uk for more information.

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