The Sandwell Youth Bus is key link for young people out in the community, providing them with activities, information and advice on a wide range of issues.

Our young people's services manage the bus, which is supported by funding from the Asda Foundation OnRoute scheme.

During Safer 6, which started this week and runs until November 6, the focus will be on safety issues for young people, with support from local police.

The bus has seven computers, all with internet access, two Play Station 3s, a workshop / 'chill out' area and a small kitchen.

For the Safer 6 campaign, the Sandwell Youth Bus, which is aimed at young people aged 11 to 19, will be at the following places:

Thu 29 Sep, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Lyttleton Street, Greets Green
Fri 30 Sep, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Redwood Road, Yew Tree
Mon 3 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Groveland Road, Burnt Tree
Wed 5 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Rounds Green Library, Martley Road, Lion Farm
Thu 6 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Barnford Park, Oldbury
Tue 11 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Millennium Centre, Friar Park Road
Thu 13 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Ball Mill Park, Crookhay Lane, Wednesbury
Fri 14 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Brunswick Park, Wednesbury
Tue 18 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Londonderry Playing Fields, Londonderry Lane
Thu 20 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, West Smethwick Park, West Park Road
Fri 21 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Windmill Youth Centre, Messenger Road, Smethwick
Mon 24 Oct, 5pm-9pm, Red House Park, Great Barr
Tue 25 Oct, 5pm-9pm, Britannia Park, Rowley
Wed 26 Oct, 5pm-9pm, Rounds Green Library, Martley Road, Lion Farm
Thu 27 Oct, 5pm-9pm, Windmill Youth Centre, Messenger Road, Smethwick
Fri 28 Oct, 5pm-9pm, Brunswick Park, Wednesbury
Sat 29 Oct, 5pm-9pm, Victoria Park, Tipton
Mon 31 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Britannia Park, Rowley
Thu 3 Nov, 6.30pm-8.30pm, YOZ centre, Halesowen Road, Old Hill
Sat 5 Nov, 5pm-7pm, Harvest Road, Brickhouse estate, Rowley

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: "It's great that the youth bus will be making these visits out in the community throughout the Safer 6 campaign as the nights draw in, offering activities, information and advice to our young people.

"People often overlook that young people are also victims of crime and anti-social behaviour."

For more information on the Sandwell Youth Bus, and other areas that the bus regularly visits, contact either Lisa Chalcraft 0845 352 8429 / 07973 550789 or Russell Allen 0845 352 8452 / 07813 319384.

You can also find out about youth activities this Autumn and throughout the year, at our Just Youth website or by calling 0845 352 8432.

It follows the success of 2010's first Safer 6 campaign. Joining forces are the council, police, fire service, probation, housing services, schools and many more who will work with the community to target 'trouble spots' and promote crime prevention.

Chief Inspector Bal Sidhu, of Sandwell Police, said: "The Safer 6 campaign is all about crime-fighting organisations working together to increase enforcement action and provide additional reassurance at a time of year when crime and anti-social behaviour often rises.

"It will build on the success of last year's campaign and will also show to everyone, following the disorder we saw on the streets in August, how we are all working together to keep our communities safe."

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: "With darker nights and the annual fireworks and bonfire season, these six weeks are a time when we need to put in extra resources beyond our day-to-day work to keep our streets safe and clean.

"Look out for Safer 6 in your town!"

The council's young people's services will also have the Sandwell Youth Bus out in each town, providing activities, advice and information for young people. For information on the Safer Sandwell Partnership's Safer 6 campaign, visit www.sandwellpolice.org.uk and www.sandwell.gov.uk/safer6

The results included:

* Additional police beat patrols: 1,669 hours
* Dedicated council warden patrols: 583 hours
* Community Payback hours by offenders: 1,850 hours
* Arrests made: 69
* Warrants executed: 25
* Vehicles stopped for motoring offences: 223
* Vehicles seized: 71
* 'Red diesel' seizures: 3
* Confiscations of illegal cigarettes: 7
* Alcohol seizures (by police & council wardens): 45
* Abandoned vehicles cleared: 21
* Fixed penalty notices for litter and other environmental offences: 173
* School visits: 4
* Alcohol & cigarette test purchases: 77 shops visited, 6 shops sold to the underage volunteer and now face fines, prosecution and licence reviews

Sandwell Homes is inviting feedback from customers as part of a review into the way it currently delivers services.

The exercise, which will see fewer yet better equipped and staffed offices, is being implemented to make employees more responsive to customer needs. The exercise will include making the most of new technology (such as self-service kiosks) to keep costs down whilst delivering value for money, and giving customers a choice of quick and easy options for paying rent such as Direct Debit, Paypoint, local post offices, by telephone and online.

The reduction in expensive office buildings will mean greater focus on frontline services such as regular estate inspections and walkabouts, looking after estates and getting to know customers and communities better.

The survey aims to give customers a say on how Sandwell Homes' new look housing service centres can deliver the most important and valued services.

To complete the survey please follow this link.

The visit saw politicians from Le Blanc Mesnil, near Paris, view ongoing Decent Homes works at Kenrick Park and Charlemont Farm estates in West Bromwich, a state of the art CCTV and concierge control room, and a purpose built training facility for tenants and apprentices, which are managed and delivered by Sandwell Homes on behalf of Sandwell Council.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for housing, showed the party how improvements have helped raise the living standards of tenants whilst creating safer neighbourhoods. The visit included a trip to see 11 newly created flats on the Kenrick Park development, which provides much needed living space for disabled customers.

Le Blanc Mesnil is a town in the north-eastern suburb of Paris, approx eight miles from the capital. Sandwell has been twinned with the town since an agreement was signed in 1985. Last year it celebrated a 25-year anniversary.

Twinning helps to establish and maintain friendly mutual relations between cities across the world to encourage youth and adult organisations, clubs, companies, groups and all classes of persons to communicate and share experiences.
Councillor Hackett said: "Le Blanc Mesnil has a very similar make-up in terms of population and industry and boosting what we do together will benefit both areas.

"This visit has enabled both councils to share knowledge of delivering housing improvements. It was a pleasure to show Mayor Mignot how these improvements have directly affected tenants."