Chief Urged To Make Statement

I have recently been highlighting some very serious concerns that constituents have in Wednesfield North. I have also been contacted by others who are concerned about anti social behaviour that is taking place across other Wards in Wednesfield.

We do have to work with West Midlands Police to provide the sort of creditable policy that will tackle and overwhelm this crime that is destroying community asset and undermining peoples quality of life. In recent weeks I have highlighted motorbikes that are causing noise nuisance and danger on Coppice Farm walkways. Quad bikes and motor bikes at the Devils Elbow bridge alongside the Wyrley Essington canal in Whitehouse Avenue. Which it is alleged is churning up grass and driving people into their homes because of the noise. Vandalism and allegations of drug use and drinking at the rear of the Ashmore Park Nursery & Clinic.

These catalogue of problems do not end there for over on Wyvern Park we here of allegations of drug use in car parks and unruly behaviour from youths who it is suggested are making life difficult for pensioners. We as a society really do need to grasp this problem and quickly.

Recently I received the following correspondence from a Scout Leader that is full of frustration. I have reported the complaint to the police. But I reproduce his letter with his permission for you to read.

'I am the group scout leader of 2nd Wednesfield Scouts , we have been in existence since 1925, we meet at the old park buildings in Duke street Wednesfield. In the last 2 days we have been subjected to a break in, with the meeting room trashed, and then last night (Monday) the outside of the building set on fire.

The park rangers report that the park is full of teenager high on drugs and drink, yet the police say they can do nothing! Why? The word police means to police the neighbourhood, yet all they seem to want to do is issue a crime number.

I have been running this scout troop for the past 30 years. But if we continue to get this lack of support from the local police then we will just have to shrug our shoulders and pack it in. Leaving Wednesfield to the ravages of the drug crazed minority. If you are really serious about making Wednesfield a good place to live then give us voluntary leaders some support and back up from the local police. Lets face it the police station is only 3 minutes walk from our meeting place, but they say they can't do anything to help!

Who is running this society the crack heads or the people who are trying desperately hard to make a difference. Apologies if I sound angry , I am , because we are being targeted by theses mindless lowlifes for no reason, and no one in authority seems interested or willing to help.'

Councillor Bateman further commented "So you can see why people are getting frustrated. I am a supporter of our Police, they by and large do a good job. But the one thing that binds all these cases together is the fact that the Police have allegedly told residents in Coppice Farm and residents near Whitehouse Avenue that they cannot do anything about these unlawful activities!

Now I am very keen to inform local Wednesfield residents that I do not agree with those statements. I believe that the Police in partnership with the Local Authority and other agencies including local neighbourhoods can do a lot. I do not accept that the Police cannot improve the local situations.

I wish they would give training to those staff who want to hold their hands up and say we cannot do anything!

I hope Chief Superintendent Andy Armstrong will read these comments and feel moved to making a public statement about what he and his force can do...and bring some confidence back into our Village."