THE village of Broadway formed a community safety group about three years ago. Its success so far has impressed Wychavon and the police so much that one of the members, Ian Thomas, has been asked to give a talk to a whole host of delegates tomorrow (Friday) at the official launch of Strategy 2002-2005.

Mr Thomas, also chairman of the Broadway Trust, said: "I recommend that every parish should form one. We talk about a whole variety of problems affecting the village from vandalism and break-ins to minor traffic accidents. The idea is to try to find solutions between ourselves and pass on any information we have to PC Iddon, who chairs our meetings."

Mr Thomas said the main problem in Broadway at present was vandalism to public benches. He said: "There have been a number of instances lately where we have had to repair benches or remove them but working with the police we have managed to contain the problem."

"It's all about caring for our village by looking into how we might find ways to reduce problems. It's not solely about crime but rather security in the broader sense. People want to feel more secure and confident that we are here to listen to problems and to do our best to solve them."

PC Tom Iddon said: "Broadway Community Safety Forum is an example of how working together we can solve most of the community problems, which are nothing really to do with the police." He cited the example of a streetlight being obscured by tree branches. PC Iddon said: "Neighbours were worried about approaching the householder but I popped in to ask him if he would cut his trees back and he was happy to do so."

"It's not all about crime and prosecuting people, it's about communication."

West Mercia Police will also be giving a talk tomorrow at the Civic Centre in Pershore to specially invited members of the community.

Other organisations involved are the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, West Mercia Probation Service and Worcestershire County Council as well as many other agencies, voluntary groups and individuals.

Apart from a talk about the Broadway group, there will be a forum on domestic violence, a talk by the Substance Misuse Action Team and a presentation by Youth Action Plus.

Senior Home Office official Margaret Gear will be launching the Wychavon Crime and Disorder Plan, backed by a £23,000 government grant to Wychavon to fund some of the projects

Now more villages and the three towns in the district are being encouraged to come on board.

Wychavon's Community Safety officer Alan Paul said: "I am pleased that after much hard work and consultation we are able to show how we can keep the area safe by working together.

"To have a senior Home Office official launching the plan makes the event even more special and demonstrates the importance attached to it by local and central governments."