REDDITCH MP and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has been speaking out about the importance of local communities.
She went to Redditch Skate Park to help the Redditch Young Labour group stage an afternoon of activities named G18.
Ms Smith Said: "Young people often tell me there is not enough for them to do in Redditch. This is partly why I'm so pleased a few of them have got together to form Redditch Young Labour.
"They tell me they hope to stage local events to give young people something to do and an opportunity to learn about issues which affect them."
She added: "I was delighted to be their guest speaker, although I didn't overstay my welcome as people wanted to see the local bands and skate displays.
"It is excellent to see young people organising an event for other young people and I'm very proud of their hard work."
At a Newspaper Conference quarterly lunch at the House of Commons, Ms Smith spoke of the importance of local newspaper campaigning saying that communicating at a local level was vital to reduce fear of crime.
She said: "Firstly, there's the significance of people's views about crime and the availability of local information, secondly there's the importance of campaigning on local issues.
"Between us we understand the power of sharing that information and understanding the importance of engaging with people locally."
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