A SIX-week campaign to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour during the darker nights in Sandwell is being launched in Rowley Regis and Oldbury next month.

The annual Safer 6 campaign brings together organisations including the council and police in targeting their efforts and providing extra reassurance as the nights draw in and the fireworks and bonfire season gets under way.

The fire service, health and probation services and voluntary organisations are also taking part and will work with the community to identify issues, tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and clean up ‘grot spots’.

They will also put on youth activities and promote safety, crime prevention and healthy living to people of all ages.

Each of the six towns will have a focus week during the campaign, responding to issues which local people have said are important to them.

West Midlands Fire Service’s Jason Jew, who is chairing the campaign for the third year, said: "We look forward to building on our day-to-day partnership work to raise awareness and promote safety during this autumn's campaign.”

The special week for Rowley Regis will run from Monday October 5 with Oldbury’s following from Monday October 19.

The Cannabis Campaign tent will be outside Tesco in Cradley Heath on Friday, October 9 and at Blackheath Market Saturday, October 10.

An event involving the police and fire service is also being planned to take place in the Windsor Road car park, opposite Rowley Hall Primary School.

A special event will be held in Oldbury town centre with the police and, fire service, which will include a chip pan fire demonstration. The crime prevention panel bus will also be there along with Neighbourhood Watch representatives.

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper said: "I'm very pleased to see this campaign back for a sixth year. We're working together in each town to respond to issues that local people have told us are important to them."