As promised in an earlier post I took the police up on their offer and spent between 7:30pm and 2am out with them in Walsall Wood and Brownhills on Saturday evening. I think I learned many things and understand the issues and way things work a lot better.
Did you know the ward has a dedicated car out every evening dedicated to dealing with anti-social behaviour? They cover vast areas and make sure they hit the areas in which anti social behaviour is a problem. Members of the public don’t always see the police, because they are always driving around. Whenever we were called upon we were able to react within five to ten minutes of the call being logged.
Part of the trouble is how to define anti social behaviour. One person’s perception of it differs to another. Is it anti social for two youths to sit on someone’s wall or is it anti social for a group of 12 young people to be walking the streets? In most cases it isn’t illegal, but it can be intimidating. The police officers know a lot of individuals by name and face and can normally deal with them in one way or another.
The police need more police officers and less paperwork to keep them out on patrol. For example if 20 officers are out in pairs, and each pair arrests one person (that’d be 10 in total) then that is all the officers tied up pretty much for the evening. Is that the police’s fault? No. We need more police officers to help support each other, and by reducing the paperwork we can get them back out on the beat during their shift. I haven’t got an answer to this - but the Home Office and parties need to look at doing something to support our officers, and therefore the public. Another crazy thing - Police Community Support Officers don’t get stab vests, but the police do. Where is the logic there? Its supposed to be non confrontational, but try telling a maniac that. This seriously worries me.
- Vigo Park needs lighting. Its dark and attracts anti social behaviour. I have asked the council to investigate this.
- Castlefort Road bus stop has been smashed up completely. I have asked Centro to repair this bus stop as a priority and we will consult residents on its removal.
- Dispersal orders may be required in some areas of Walsall Wood and I will support the police in applying for one in areas where there are issues.
I have asked the Council to re-open the Youth Centre in the ward as a priority. This has been successful and will be happening from the second week of January. I plan to get the main players around a table to work on an action plan for the area.
I also witnessed an arrest. So a busy evening!
Mike Flower was elected in November 2006. At 24 he is the youngest councillor on Walsall Council.
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