I RECENTLY met with all the chairs of the Partners and Community Togethercpanels to see how the PACT process is progressing since it started four years ago. The good news is that they still meet regularly across Wyre Forest and the panels have dealt with many issues raised at their meetings.

Some did report, however, that the number of people attending meetings has fallen. These meetings are a great opportunity to raise any issues you may have about the place you live, and I would encourage you to attend your local meeting.

The date and location of your local meeting can be found at www.westmercia .police.uk You may have recently read in this paper about the work that PC Jayne Willetts, her colleagues and partner organisations have done in relation to illegal scrap metal collectors.

This is a great example of what can be done when an issue is raised at PACT. As a result of the operation more than 50 offences were dealt with and a number of vehicles seized.

In these difficult financial times and in the face of cuts across the public sector this partnership working is even more important.

We should all try to play our part in the fight against crime whether it be reporting something to the police, setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme or by putting into practice the crime prevention advice we give out week after week.

I mentioned the ‘Lighten Up’ campaign in last month’s column and sadly the importance of this advice was shown as four homes in the Wyre Forest area were recently burgled while unoccupied.

With the evenings drawing in it is easy for thieves to identify empty houses. The use of timer switches is a simple way to make your home look occupied. If you go away for a while have you got a trusted friend or neighbour who can draw your curtains and check your mail is not on show?

There is so much you can do to help yourselves in the fight against crime and we should all try to do our bit to help keep Wyre Forest safe.

INSPECTOR PAUL CROWLEY, KIDDERMINSTER POLICE