Community Safety Newsletter

Crime figures, shed security, and keeping vigilant

South Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership continues to work collaboratively to ensure South Staffordshire remains one of the safest areas in the country.

Here’s an overview of recent crime trends across the district:

Overall Crime – all recorded crime has fallen by 1% over the past 12 months. Key reductions include:

• Vehicle crime theft of down by 19% and theft from down by 20%
• Burglary of homes down by 6%
• Burglary of business down by 12%
• Less serious violence down by 1%

Numbers of crimes for vehicle crime and burglary remains low and the partnership focus is to sustain these reductions.

Domestic abuse has recently seen an increase of 4%, which includes violence against women and girls (VAWG). Support for victims in South Staffordshire is available through New Era https://www.new-era.uk/ or the 24/7 confidential helpline for victims 0300 303 3778.   

The stop and search rate in South Staffordshire is 60%, higher than the Staffordshire Police average, and the new Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel has recently met to look at the outcome rate and how it’s being achieved.

For further advice about home and/or vehicle security Crime prevention advice | Staffordshire Police

To report a crime call 999 if it’s in progress, call 101 or online at Staffordshire Police – report

If you don’t want to click on the link then contact communitysafety@sstaffs.gov.uk

Keep your garden tools and other property secure this spring

Sheds are often targeted by thieves as an easy option as they often hold valuable items that can be sold on quickly such as bikes, mowers, power tools, garden tools and garden furniture.

Have you thought about marking your property?

Security marking your tools and equipment using a Secured By Design recognised asset marking or etching kit is a highly effective and visible deterrent to thieves and an established method of reducing theft.

Other things to consider include keeping items out of view with netting or a permanent spray-on frosting to the glass. Shed windows can be fitted with a weld mesh or grille ont he inside or glass panes can be replaced with perspex or polycarbonate as a more secure alternative.

Wrap a security chain around and through the handles of garden tools, lawn mowers and bikes and where possible secure the chain to the wall using a purpose made shed shackle and padlock. If you have battery operated garden tools, store the batteries and chargers in the house away from the tools, this makes them less attractive to steal and less valuable to sell on.

For further advice about any of the security tips listed above, or to find out how to buy police recognised security products, visit: https://www.securedbydesign.com/ or call the general enquiry line 0203 8623 999

Keeping communities safe is everyone’s responsibility

As a residents, community group, local business or volunteer you can help to keep South Staffordshire one of the safest areas by reporting anything you see or hear that you think is suspicious or out of character for your local area.

• If you see/hear a group or individual living or working in South Staffordshire using means including: leaflets; social media sites; a website; WhatsApp messages; graffiti  or word of mouth, to express views which justify or glorify violence, foster hatred or seek to provoke others into acts of violence or extreme behaviour – this is something that needs to be reported.
• If you have concerns about a person potentially being drawn into terrorism or know of any group based in South Staffordshire who use threatening language or threats of violence to justify their cause – this is something that needs to be reported.
• If you see graffiti that you know or believe to be a symbol of an organisation linked to extremist views – this is something that needs to be reported.

Doing nothing should never be an option and the Community Safety Partnership is encouraging residents and communities to work together to keep South Staffordshire one of the safest districts in the county.

Community safety is everyone’s responsibility and if you have any concerns there are several ways to report:

0800 011 3764 is the National Police Prevent advice line

Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism on https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

Contact the Community Safety Partnership at communitysafety@sstaffs.gov.uk to report of for further information

Community Safety Partnership Plan 2026-2029

South Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership will have a new plan from 1st April 2026 with outcomes to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, disorder, the fear of crime and increase reassurance for residents, visitors and anyone working in the district including those who have been a victim..

Councillor Mike Davies, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership states “The 2026 Plan is available to view from 1st April 2026 on South Staffordshire Council’s website, it details what crime looks like now in South Staffordshire based on a comparison of police data over the last three years; partner data and resident feedback, and details challenging outcomes to keep South Staffordshire one of the safest areas in England and Wales”.

The top three priorities for the district are:

• Reduce Serious Acquisitive Crime : Including cross border crime; vehicle crime; support for victims.
• Protect and safeguard victims of violence: Supporting victims including violence against women and girls (VAWG) through partnership working; justice for victims through restorative justice; targeting resources through problem solving.
• Prevention of Anti-social Behaviour to ensure continued good relations in communities: Improve reassurance to residents; support for victims of hate crime and hate incidents; promote good relations in communities; hear the voice of young people.

Areas of focus include:

• Rural Crime
• Road Safety
• Drug use and drug dealing
• Health and Wellbeing: Mental Health in young people and adults, whole life disability and neuro-disability
• Counter Terrorism

Visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/communities/community-safety or contact communitysafety@sstaffs.gov.uk for more information.

Competition time

To say thank you for being a subscriber to this Newsletter the Community Safety Partnership is offering you the chance to win a Streetwise Urban X Steering Wheel Lock”.

Please send an email with the title “Community Safety Newsletter Competition” to communitysafety@sstaffs.gov.uk and you will be entered into a prize draw.

Terms and conditions are available on South Staffordshire Council’s website South Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership | South Staffordshire District Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)

Closing date for entries is Thursday, 30th April, 2026 at 5pm.

There have already been five lucky winners from previous editions of the Community Safety Newsletter.