A BLITZ on anti-social behaviour, traffic problems, errant shopkeepers, grot-spots and unsafe homes has made Oldbury a safer and cleaner place.

Oldbury was the first town in Sandwell to benefit from the Safer 6 campaign, a multi-agency operation, which aims to make communities safer during the dark nights when anti-social behaviour can rise.

Police made four arrests and executed six warrants for a range of offences including a drugs warrant at a home in Whitehouse Street, which led to a person being charged with possession of Class A and B drugs with intent to supply.

Officers also made two arrests for numerous ‘bilking’ and driving offences.

Over 3,700 vehicles were checked during automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) operations on Oldbury roads which led to five cars being seized.

A community speedwatch operation was also held around Rounds Green Primary School to tie in with the school’s road safety awareness sessions.

Sergeant Gary Capewell, from Oldbury Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We have had a fantastic week of targeted action with a strong partnership approach.

"We have seen some really positive results which complements our ongoing fight against crime and anti-social behaviour

Council property intervention officers visited 58 empty private homes in Oldbury, to check they were secure as they try to get them back into use.

The fire service carried out fire safety checks at 40 homes in Oldbury and promoted electrical testing and safety to shoppers at Asda, Oldbury.

And Sandwell Council wardens seized alcohol 16 times, including four times from under-18s, and issued a dog fouling fine.

They also tackled anti-social behaviour, dealt with two truants in Barnford Park and began probes into eight abandoned vehicles.

Councillor Steve Trow, Oldbury town lead for Sandwell Council, said: “It’s great to see partners working together, as we do all year round, to give added reassurance as the nights draw in and tackle problems that local people have told us are a concern.”

More than 60 young people attended Youth Bus sessions across Oldbury, taking part in fun activities put on by the council’s young people’s services and getting safety advice.

Offenders doing Community Payback did 252 hours of unpaid work at Kingsway and Clay Lane, clearing around one tonne of overgrown bushes, grass, trees and rubbish.

For more information, follow the Safer 6 campaign visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/safer6.