Residents Critical of Police Telephone System

Ashmore Park Police Liaison Meeting held last night at Coppice Close Community Association was again packed with residents to hear about crime and related issues.

Residents were very critical of the West Midlands Police telephone system as resident after resident rose to complain and explain their particular difficulty trying to report a crime or seek help from West Midlands Police on the 0845 113 5000 .

Councillor Phil Bateman said “the message will get home to the Chief Constable one day. The Police have a real problem with their telephone system. Worse than that is the fact that the Police are losing the good will and the confidence of the community.

I felt that the two police officers that were in attendance were very much at a disadvantage as they tried to defend what is a poor communication arrangement. It is so hard to put a counter argument when so many residents had first hand knowledge of not being able to get through to the force, and were very ready to recant those experiences to the meeting.

I shall ensure that the Chief Constable is made aware of the concerns of residents on Ashmore Park, and I will urge him to invest in a telephone system that breeds confidence and support amongst the community. Not one that is slowly alienating the very people that they need.”

Residents were given advice that if they could not get through on the 0845 113 5000 number and you wanted to report a crime or you were being in need of the police dial 999 as you would have done in years past.