Dog walkers are being encouraged to join Wolverhampton’s very own paw patrol – and alert the authorities to any issues or to unusual or suspicious activity.

The Safer Wolverhampton Partnership has launched a new initiative, Paws on Patrol, to enrol dog walkers to act as “eyes and ears” and report issues ranging from dog fouling and fly tipping to anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and dangerous driving to the authorities.

Members of Paws on Patrol will not be expected to put themselves in any danger or approach anyone whom they suspect of committing a crime, but will instead be given the information they need to contact the police or other appropriate agencies to deal with the issue they have spotted.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Dog walkers have always had a really important role to play in helping the authorities tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

“In particular, they are in a fantastic position to spot things that others may not, as they often walk their dogs in the early morning or late at night.

“Through the Paws on Patrol initiative, we’re encouraging dog walkers to keep an eye out and report anything suspicious or indeed criminal to the police or council.”

Among those who have signed up to join the Paws on Patrol is Ed Boyle, who has two Lhasa Apso dogs, Millie and Maisey. He said: “Paws on Patrol in essentially a type of Neighbourhood Watch initiative, but for dog walkers.

“I’m often out and about in the community taking the dogs for a walk, and while I am doing this I am basically the eyes and ears of the community. It makes sense that I am empowered to report anything suspicious to the authorities, and I and my fellow dog walkers will be very happy to do so.”

Paws on Patrol is funded by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s Active Citizens Fund and supports the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership’s Community Safety and Harm Reduction Strategy which aims to increase the reporting of crimes, keep neighbourhoods safe and reduce the perceived fear of crime.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “Paws on Patrol is a great idea. It builds on the principle that West Midlands Police relies on the eyes and ears of all of us in our local community to report criminal behaviour when they see and hear it taking place.

“Dog walkers spend more time than many of us pacing up and down local streets, which puts them in a perfect position to keep a look out for trouble and to report it to officers. I am delighted to have helped fund this community project using the ill-gotten gains of criminals.”

Dog owners who sign up to Paws on Patrol will be issued with a membership card, containing contact details for the police, Wolverhampton’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team and the Customer Services team at the City of Wolverhampton Council. As a thank-you for their involvement, they will also receive a reflective dog collar for their pet, a poop bag holder and poop bags.

Learner drivers will benefit from improvements to the online driving instructor search service, DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn announced.

The ‘find driving schools, lessons and instructors’ service at www.gov.uk/drivinglessons has details of 26,000 DVSA approved driving instructors.

It’s been improved so instructors can add links to their driving school websites. New search filters allow learners to find instructors who choose to display the grade awarded to them by DVSA, follow the driving instructor code of practice and develop their knowledge and skills each year.

Our roads are some of the safest in the world but DVSA want to make sure that legal, fully-trained professionals teach learners.

It can be daunting for learners to know where to start when trying to choose a driving instructor. DVSA’s improved service gives more information to help learners and their parents.

DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said:

“DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.

“It’s vital to choose the best approved driving instructor for you. They’ll help you learn the essential skills, knowledge and understanding you need to drive safely once you’ve passed your driving test.

“Making sure learner drivers have access to information that helps them choose the best instructor for their needs is part of our strategy to help you stay safe on Britain’s roads.”

Only fully-qualified driving instructors - who have passed enhanced criminal record checks and had their ability to teach assessed to a set standard - are allowed to have their details shown on the service.

Allowing instructors to add their website makes it easy for learner drivers to quickly compare and check the type of car they use and their lesson prices. If the instructor has their photo on their website, learners and their parents can be confident they’re getting in the car with the instructor they’ve chosen.

Chief Executive of the Driving Instructors Association, Carly Brookfield, said:

“We're pleased to see DVSA working to improve consumer information about the process of learning to drive. The latest developments to the find a driving school, lesson and instructor service will help consumers to make more informed choices -and driver trainers to promote their professionalism.”

The driver training industry is supporting the campaign to raise awareness of the road safety benefit of being taught by a professional and skilled expert.

Carly, who also chairs the steering group for national approved driving instructor associations (NASP), continued:

“NASP encourages all approved driving instructors to sign up to the driving instructor code of practice to show their commitment to professional personal and business conduct at all times.”

This September, Bullring has announced the arrival of Selfie Spots to the centre. With the iconic Bull being named in The Independent's list of the world's top ten pieces of public art in 2014, the spots will be placed in picturesque spots around the centre, highlighting the most selfie-worthy locations.

With Millennials predicted to take a mighty 25,700 selfies in their lifetime and 1 million selfies taken a day, Bullring is offering a helping hand to selfie-takers across Birmingham. Whether customers are trying to capture the Bull at its best or make sure they have Selfridges' iconic exterior in the background, the centre's Selfie Spots will guide the way with expertly placed spots that will ensure you capture the best of Bullring.

The Selfie Spots will see Bullring, technically a millennial itself, celebrate its 14^th birthday on September 4^th.  Here for a temporary time only, four of the circular signs will be placed in several locations around the centre on the 1^st September 2017, three days prior to Bullring's 14^th anniversary.

For customers looking where to find the spots, they will be in the following locations: The Bullring Bull; with three Selfie Spots on St Martin's Walk allowing you to capture the beautiful St Martin’s Church and iconic Selfridges building.

Experience the Christmas story in a new way at The Wintershall Nativity Play, brought to you by the Wintershall Players, producers of famous The Passion of Jesus which is now performed to an audience of over 20,000 people each Easter in Trafalgar Square.

The Wintershall Players first performed The Nativity in 1989, with a cast headed by Peter and Ann Hutley and their family on the family's beautiful farm, the Wintershall Estate, an area of extraordinary natural beauty which sits within the rolling landscape of the Surrey Hills, less than an hour from London. They pushed the cows out of the barn for a night and a handful of people came to see the makeshift production. One of the wise men found himself wearing Ann's fur hat and their pregnant daughter-in-law sat on a bale of hay with a torch in her mouth to light the action.

Now Holly Barn is a licensed theatre and thousands of visitors come to see the 90-minute Nativity every year. It featured on the BBC's Songs of Praise in 1996 and again in 2004. In 2013, the Nativity was performed in the BBC's Piazza in London to critical acclaim.

Dramatic and intimate, the story begins in the open air with the shepherds. The audience then take their seats in the atmospheric barn, where the story unfolds of how Jesus changed the world.   The play is performed by a cast of 50 in beautiful biblical costumes, with songs and music, assisted by a full complement of sheep, donkeys, horses and a sheepdog.  It is truly the perfect opportunity to enjoy a show with friends and family and enrich the experience of Christmas.

This year, for the first time, there will be three performances on Saturday 16th December to meet public demand. Mince pies and hot drinks will be available before the show.

Renowned Clapham craft beer pub The King & Co will welcome back much-loved popup chef Tem Ban this September and October, and also host the first extended takeover by hot newcomer Taco Rebels. Launching on 4th September, the Autumn kitchen residency double-header will see Taco Rebels debut their bold and mischievous flavour combinations to the pub's guests every Monday and Tuesday, then Tem Ban will serve up another taste of their sensational fresh take on traditional Thai food from Wednesday to Sunday each week. The popular independent free-house will also celebrate its third birthday with a weekend of fun events from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th September, including a mini beer festival featuring brews by the team themselves plus exclusive kegs and special brewery collaborations.

Following the huge success of their residency last year, rising star Tem Ban will return to The King & Co five days per week this September and October with an array of new dishes pairing core Southeast Asian ingredients with the best British seasonal produce. Visitors will be able to tuck into a regularly-changing selection of small and large plates designed to be enjoyed together family-style, such as grilled corn on the cob with salted coconut cream, chilli and lime; red duck curry with ginger, green beans and Thai basil; and pork belly salad with crispy fish flakes, lemongrass, coriander and red chilli dressing. Having spent over a decade honing his culinary skills working in acclaimed professional kitchens ranging from The Begging Bowl to Smoking Goat and even a recent stint at Bo.Lan in Bangkok, founder and head chef Craig Broadhurst can be trusted to provide vibrant meals that pack a punch and are sure to be memorable.

The King & Co's Autumn dual-residency will also introduce up-and-coming trader Taco Rebels and their interesting innovative twist on classic Mexican tortillas. Showcasing a fusion of the most diverse and powerful flavours from around the globe, the team of four friends are passionate about exciting diners' palates and bringing people together over great food. Ideal for sharing over a few pints, the taco lineup for the twice-weekly takeover will highlight top picks from their recent supperclub series at the London Cooking Project including the Pan-Asian Piggy filling of aromatic pork belly, pineapple and ginger salsa, sriracha and crema; and their signature beet balls with spiced carrot hummus, feta and charred kiwi salsa; as well as brand new creations like the Slumdog Muttonaire mix of curried lamb shoulder, raita slaw, bhaji crisp and pickles. Those looking for a mid-week feast can take advantage of the Rebels' #TacoTuesdays deal, offering either five tacos for just £15, or three tacos accompanied by a portion of Lock 'N Load Nachos.

Having earned a strong reputation as a local pub with a difference since its launch in September 2014, The King & Co will toast its third birthday with three days of celebrations from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th September. A mini beer festival will run all weekend at the relaxed welcoming space just moments away from the busy main drag of Clapham Common, promising an unmissable tap list that will see the pub's own beers being poured alongside unique collaboration brews, limited edition drinks, and favourites from top breweries chosen by owner Anthony Gunson and his fellow craft beer loving bartenders. On Saturday night the party will be in full swing with a live DJ session until 1am; then the festivities will draw to a close on Sunday with an entertaining Birthday Bingo game compèred by beloved quizmaster Tommy McTrivia, with both spot prizes up for grabs throughout and a pot of cash to be won at the end of the evening.