DANGEROUS parking outside schools, litter hotspots and domestic abuse were all issues tackled across Rowley Regis to mark the start of Sandwell’s annual autumn Safer 6 campaign.

Hundreds of people attended a family fun day and information roadshow at Haden Cross Community Fire Station in Cradley Heath to launch the six-week campaign in style.

Each of Sandwell’s six towns has a focus week during Safer 6 and Rowley Regis’ week proved a huge success.

Offenders doing community payback put in 123 hours, clearing 1.6 tonnes of rubbish and overgrowth on the Riddins Estate and the passageway from Throne Crescent to Throne Road, with the council’s estate services team carrying out a clean-up at Wesley Court.

Police and council officers ran a ‘Park It Don’t Plonk It’ operation at Blackheath Primary School to tackle dangerous parking and chatted with students at St Michael’s CofE High

Rowley Local office, Litterwatch and the Friends of Codsall Coppice held a litter pick at Codsall Coppice in Cradley Heath, clearing rubbish bags, a car bumper and a tyre.

Police held a successful information roadshow at Sainsbury’s Blackheath, talking with more than 40 shoppers and recruiting two new neighbourhood watch co-ordinators.

The council’s young people’s services team held staying safe workshops for young people with the Youth Bus on evenings at Harvest Road, Brickhouse Community Centre and Britannia Park.

Skip days were held at Charles Walk, Rowley Regis, and at Addenbrooke Court and Wesley Court, Cradley Heath, supported by neighbourhood services officers and Litterwatch, with residents filling skips with rubbish.

Council officers and Litterwatch held a litter pick and provided skips for residents in Fairway Avenue, Hollies Road, California Road and Wheatsheaf Road, Oakham Estate.

The council’s domestic abuse team visited local businesses including hairdressers and beauty salons to provide information and advice on what support is available if someone discloses domestic abuse to them.

Firefighters gave safety talks for older people at Oakham Library and for children at Highfields Primary School and carried out 18 ‘Safe and Well’ visits to vulnerable residents.

Council road safety officers chatted to parents and children at the end of the school day at Reddal Hill Primary and Springfield Primary schools, giving Be Bright & Be Seen advice and leaflets regarding the use of child car seats.

Councillor Susan Eaves, Rowley Regis town chair, said: “With the nights drawing in, it’s great to see partner organisations providing this extra information, advice and reassurance to residents across our four wards in Rowley Regis.

“The launch event at Haden Cross Community Fire Station was amazing, with hundreds of people coming along. Thanks to West Midlands Fire Service for hosting the event and all the partners who supported us.”