Castle Bromwich Community Website

Castle Bromwich Youth & Community Partnership has launched a CHARM initiative. The scheme will show how easy it is to make cheap, healthy meals from scratch.

Weekly cook and eat sessions will show how to reproduce cheaper, healthier alternatives to favourite take-away meals at home and help to develop basic cooking skills and confidence. The sessions will take place in the Castle Bromwich Youth & Community Centre from February to May. Sessions are free, but registration is required.

You can register your interest or find out more details on the CBYCP Website.

Friday October 21st at 7.30 pm Barn Dance in St Mary and St Margaret, School Hall, Southfield Avenue - Tickets £8 adults £5 primary school children cost includes a ploughman’s lunch, you have to provide your own drinks and glasses. Prize for the best dressed country bumpkin

Friday November 18th Spectrum (local vocal harmony group) are holding a Cabaret

in aid of St Mary and St Margaret New Community Hall

To be held at Arden Hall, Water Orton Road curtain up 7.45 pm

Tickets £6 adults £3 children

Saturday November 26th St Mary and St Margaret’s ChurchChristmas Fair -Theme‘12days of Christmas’

To be held at Arden Hall, Water Orton Road 11.30 am – 2.00 pm

Friday December 9th at 7.30 pm Christmas by Candlelight to be held in St Mary and St Margaret’s church

Tickets £5 to include light entertainment and a drink of Christmas cheer and mince pie

For tickets and information on any of the above events please contact

MaryJones mary.roma4@btinternet.com or 0121 747 3328

The efforts of the Castle Bromwich Community Project to restore the closed graveyard have paid off with an excellent first time result in the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom Competition. Members are celebrating after receiving a Thriving Award in this year’s Heart of England in Bloom – It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards category.

Representatives of the group were given the Red Carpet treatment when they attended the awards ceremony in Solihull to be told of the result. RHS Assessors Robin Russell and Ken Whittaker highlighted the group’s achievements in what they described as a massive challenge which had been community lead from day one. The graveyard has now been cleared of decades of overgrowth, graves uncovered, water restored and newly planted flower beds make a colourful addition to the site.

Terrie Knibb, Chairman of the Castle Bromwich Community Project said: “We could not have achieved this fantastic result without the many community groups and residents who have got involved. The judges were particularly impressed by the large number of local young people who joined in to help often giving up their school holidays. This shows how much local residents care about our community and want to help improve the area. There’s still much to be done, but this is a great start.”

The awards are supported by Marches Housing Association and Managing Director Phil Green said: “We continue to be delighted and surprised by the quality and quantity of entries. So much hardwork and determination goes into creating gardens and projects that not only look beautiful but have also been about communities coming together and caring for their local area.” 

If you're involved in a community group in North Solihull the launch of the Confident Communities  programme could help you. Learn the skills, find the resources and build the network you need to be really effective.

Confident Communities will be led by a team from Fircroft College of Adult Education. Introductory sessions will be held at a North Solihull venue in No0vember covering:

Community leadershipEffective meetingsFundraising EssentialsAttracting & keeping new membersTo find out more or to book phone Sustain on: 0121 711 3148

North Solihull Voluntary & Community Alliance has launched a monthly newsletter aimed at improving communication in North Solihull for the benefit if local groups and the communities which they serve. Speaking at the NSVCA network meeting today, Jan Ryan invited community groups to submit name suggestions for the publication and to feedback on the content which they would like to see included. Details of any community events or good news which groups wanted to share would be welcome. Email administrator@nsvca.org.uk or phone June on 07825 410511.

SCRAP metal vans have been targeted by police in Castle Bromwich following noise pollution complaints from residents unhappy at their bugle blasts.

Officers from the Castle Bromwich and Smith’s Wood Neighbourhood Police Team, alongside Trading Standards, carried out a day-long clampdown on ‘tatters’ vans who excessively trumpet their arrival in residential areas.During theoperation scrap metal collectors were stopped, documentation verified, cargos inspected, and vans checked to ensure they were

Sergeant Liam Dalton said: "The sound of scrapmetal vans trumpeting their arrival in residential parts of Solihullby blowing bugles is a nuisance being reported with increasing regularity. It was a successful day of action and wewill be continuing to crackdown on tho

The action dayalso focused on rogue builders with van drivers stopped by officers to ensure they complied with Building Regulations. A total of 25 vans were inspected.

Sgt Dalton, said: “Rogue builders often prey on the elderly and vulnerable, conning them out of money for work that iss ubstandard and overpriced. Dealing with a rogue trader can have a seriouslydetrimental effect on a victim's health and confidence.”

Further crackdowns are now jointly being planned by Solihull Police and Trading Standards to catch scrap metal dealersand rogue traders who breach guidelines.

To help protect yourself from rogue traders,follow the crime prevention tips below:

§  Check whether traders are members of the Local AuthorityAssured Trader Schemes: www.oft.gov.uk  or the government Trust Mark scheme: www.trustmark.org.uk

§  Never pay cash upfront

§  Get three written quotes before choosing a trader

§  If you suspect a rogue trader caller is at your door dial999.

If you have thevehicle registration number of a scrap metal dealer causing a noise issue,please contact Solihull Councils ‘Connect’ service on 0121 704 8369.

THOUSANDS of school children from across the West Midlands will be visited by police this week in a bid to keep them safe over the summer holidays. Police officers and police staff from every corner of the force will be visiting schools as part of operation Serve and Protect – a forcewide crackdown on robbers. During the special assemblies and classes, youngsters will be given personal safety advice and encouraged to register their valuables on the national police property register ‘immobilise.com’ so that they can be reunited with their iPod, bike or mobile, if they are lost or stolen and later recovered by police. They will also be reminded of the consequences robbers face when arrested for their crimes. To reinforce their message, officers will be showing a short film entitled ‘Robbery. Get a proper Life’. Aimed at year 6 students upwards, the film - available to view via the force’s YouTube account - covers the serious consequences of committing robbery, explains safety strategies to reduce the risk of becoming a victim and explores the affects of robbery on victims. At the end of the film, school children will also be encouraged to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers with information on those committing robberies in their neighbourhood. The move comes during a forcewide crackdown on robbery codenamed operation Serve and Protect. Launched at the start of July, the operation aims to tackle an anticipated seasonal rise in robbery offences through a range of tough tactics which target offenders. Detective Chief Inspector Matt Markham from West Midlands Police, said: “While operation Serve and Protect is a forcewide focus on robbers, we recognise that there is much that people can do to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime. “By going into schools and showing this film, we hope to share important safety messages with young people.” For advice on how to how to stay safe when out and about, visit: www.safer-streets.org For all the latest news on operation Serve and Protect, search for #serveprotectwmp on Twitter.

SOLIHULL Police are warning elderly members of the community and their families about the risk of falling prey to opportunist thieves claiming to be from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme.

The digital switchover takes place in the West Midlands from September 2011 and the Digital Switchover Help Scheme has been created to help eligible older and disabled people switch one of their TV sets to digital.

Police have traditionally received reports about offenders gaining access to homes by posing as ‘water board’ or ‘gas officials’, however, there are now concerns about criminals claiming to be Digital Switchover officials.

Inspector Dave Rischmiller from Solihull police said: "We are fortunate across Solihull that this type of burglary is a rare occurrence, however, I have no doubt that some criminals may well take advantage of the opportunities the digital switchover presents.”

“I advise all householders, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, to be extra vigilant and to take all the usual precautions in making sure that anyone they let in to their homes are legitimate and official.”

The majority of people taking advantage of the scheme are asked to pay £40 towards the standard option of help the scheme provides, but they will never be expected to pay on the doorstep.

The following information and advice can help you avoid becoming a victim to bogus digital switchover officials:

· Every eligible person to the scheme will receive a letter from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme in the run up to the switchover.

· You will not receive a visit from any representative from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme unless you have responded to the help scheme letter or contacted the helpline.

· The Digital Switchover Help Scheme will send you a letter to confirm the date they will attend your home. If you therefore receive an unexpected visit from anyone claiming to be a switchover representative, please do not let them in.

· The help scheme offers a password system so you do not need to let anyone in to your home without them telling you the password you agreed.

· All switchover representatives carry identification. Please do not be afraid to ask to see this. If they refuse or claim not to have it, ask them to come back with the correct ID.

· You can verify if the caller at your door is official by telephoning the Digital Switchover Help Scheme on 0800 40 85 900.

· If you are at all suspicious please close your door and call Solihull Police on 0345 113 5000.

If you have any concerns about someone acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood please contact Solihull Police on 0345 113 5000.

TWO police officers from Solihull are to be honoured at a special ceremony on Thursday (23 June) for their outstanding acts of bravery.

PC Grant Naismith and PC Matthew Goodwin placed themselves in two separate dangerous situations where bladed weapons and firearms were used to either threaten members of the public or cause injury to themselves.

On Tuesday 28 December 2010 a call was received from a man in Chelmsley Wood, stating he wanted to be in police custody and that he had broken his bail conditions. A short time later he rang the police again in a distressed state saying he had knives and that he intended to harm himself.

Police officers were dispatched to the man’s address; one of who was PC Naismith. When the officers arrived they found the man in a very distressed state, having taken an overdose of prescribed medication and alcohol. He was highly agitated and in a paranoid state of mind. He also had two 10-inch knives; one held at his chest and the second in his mouth. There was clearly an imminent threat that he would seriously harm himself.

PC Naismith placed himself in the hallway so that he could have sight of the man and encouraged him to talk. This placed PC Naismith in front of the other officers due to the confined space and clearly exposed him to the man should he become a threat to the police.

A tactical option of using a taser device was considered but with the man holding the two knives against his chest and mouth, there would have been the risk of serious injury should he fall on them. PC Naismith kept up the dialogue, building his trust and calming the man’s mental state, which resulted in the man surrendering one of the knives. PC Naismith continued his calm negotiation in what was a very alarming and tense situation.

Finally, not only was PC Naismith able to convince the man to give up the second knife but also to lay face down with his hands on his head, enabling other officers to safely enter the room and secure him in handcuffs. A paramedic was then able to enter the room and assess the man.

Through PC Naismith’s commendable actions the man was calmly taken into police custody and received treatment at a local hospital without any injuries to him or the officers and without the use of force.

On Tuesday 24 August 2010 a robbery occurred in Brueton Park, Solihull where an offender approached an elderly woman and snatched her handbag. When her elderly companion attempted to challenge the offender he produced a pistol and threatened the couple before running off.

PC Matthew Goodwin attended the scene and straight away saw a man fitting the description of the offender that had been circulated - the offender was on foot walking towards Solihull town centre. PC Goodwin got out of his car and began to follow the offender at a safe distance, with the intention to wait until the arrival of armed officers. However, before any assistance arrived the offender got on a bus. At this point PC Goodwin was concerned the situation would escalate, as he understood the offender was in possession of a firearm and that he had already committed one robbery, so PC Goodwin also got on the bus to approach the offender and escort him off to conduct a routine check.

At this time the offender was agitated but compliant. PC Goodwin took possession of the offender’s bag and inside saw the top of a pistol. He remained calm and professional and tried not to show any reaction to the firearm he had seen in the bag. PC Goodwin placed the bag on a bench and took hold of the offender to arrest him on suspicion of robbery. The offender became extremely aggressive and attempted to break free but PC Goodwin managed to hold onto him until further assistance arrived.

During the arrest the offender was also found to be in possession of a four-inch knife and the firearm was found to be an unloaded gas powered pistol.

The offender was charged and later sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

Superintendent Dave Walker said: “In both incidents, PC Goodwin and PC Naismith remained calm and controlled. They showed immense bravery in putting the safety of the public and colleagues before themselves. I am very proud of them both and am pleased their bravery is rightly being rewarded.”

The awards are to be presented by the Chief Constable at a special awards ceremony taking place at Tally Ho! Sports and Social Club, Edgbaston at 8pm on Thursday 23 June.

SOLIHULL Police have seized drugs worth in excess of £50,000 as part of a three-month crackdown operation. Between 18 January and 30 April the Smith’s Wood neighbourhood policing team were busy executing 28 drugs warrants as part of Operation Gardener - a drug dealing crackdown across Smith’s Wood. Of the 28 warrants carried out, 26 of the properties searched required forced entry by officers, where they uncovered six cannabis factories and the remains of another, along with three Pit Bull Terriers and one taser device.

 Over the three month period a total of 18 people were arrested, of which five were charged with the production of a Class B drug, three charged with possession with intent to supply a Class B drug, five people charged with possession of a Class B drug, and one person charged with possession of a prohibited weapon under the Firearms Act.

 Although only a small amount of drugs was found to be on the five people charged with possession of a Class B drug, they were still issued with £80 fixed penalty notices, highlighting police are clamping down even on the minor drug offences. Of the three Pit Bull Terriers seized, one was destroyed and one is due to be destroyed.  Two people are to be charged later this week with being in possession of a fighting dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. 

The operation was prompted by residents in Smith’s Wood who expressed strong opinions at meetings with the neighbourhood policing team over the amount of alleged drug use and dealing occurring within the area. Sergeant Garry Burnham said: “The production, sale and misuse of illegal drugs in Smith’s Wood is unacceptable and has a negative effect on the community. The Smith’s Wood community asked us to tackle this issue and that is what we have done.” “We will act decisively on intelligence received from members of the public in order to bring offenders to justice, and we believe that this operation and the subsequent court proceedings will have a positive result on drugs related crime in this neighbourhood." 

As Solihull Police 'gets tough' on drug users and dealers they continue to combat the production, sale and misuse of drugs in Solihull under Operation Serve and Protect; the force operation to keep pressure on all known offenders in order to drive crime down across the Borough. If you have concerns regarding drug dealing and/or drug use where you live, please telephone Solihull Police on 0345 113 5000.  Alternatively, you can get in touch with your neighbourhood policing team via our website www.solihullpolice.org.uk .