Broad Street Debate Rumbles On!

It is also true to say that the police do not altogether buy into the picture I have painted. I think that it is in the interest of the city that I post the comments I have received from Inspector Neil Evans.

Inspector Evans makes a number of solid points and it is for citizens to draw their own conclusions about Broad Street. What I am not keen on doing is to create a myth that I am being over-critical with regard to Wolverhampton Police. But like many citizens I have frustrations and this particular repeat problem for bus users in Broad Street is more than a frustration!

Here is Inspector Evans comments-

"Dear Cllr Bateman, I refer to your web item of 3rd August, the response by my colleague Steve Knight and your further e-mail of yesterday to Steve, in respect of Broad Street.

I am the senior officer responsible for day to day policing of the City Centre, having taken on this role on 5th June and having worked in the city for over 4 years.

Can I say that I broadly support your views on this issue but must before I continue, take issue with you on a couple of points.

To assert that my officers ''turn a blind eye'' or ''pacify'' law breakers is severely wide of the mark. If that were the case 2 of them would not have been assaulted in recent weeks, dealing with just these issues, one of them with a hypodermic needle! If you wish I will collate the figures as to how many alcohol confiscations they have made over recent weeks. Given the generous remarks you made as First Citizen to our Awards Evening last year, to which we were all grateful, I am surprised at your sentiments in this regard.

That being said there are clearly issues to be tackled and I wholeheartedly agree with you in terms of the impact these issues have on our City. That is why since taking over the role I have made it clear to my officers of my expectations around positively dealing with the issue you raise along with other similar ones such as begging. I have met with some of them today and re-iterated that stance. Indeed I myself am due to attend court and give evidence against an alleged beggar, some of that evidence eminating from when I was off duty.

You made the point that the police have all the powers they need in respect of dealing with the issue. Whilst to a degree that is true, it clearly doesn''t totally deal with the problem. Clearly once arrested we refer them to the wider criminal justice system who decide upon sanctions. I would like to bet that a number of the people you witnessed in the shelter have been arrested by my officers time and again, or had alcohol confiscated from them. It is important though that my officers continue to use their powers whatever the results at court and I make this clear. Myself and Steve Knight are in the early stages of examining complimentary ways of tackling the issue, that involves working with other agencies such as the City Centre Company and City Council Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, with whom I have been in touch. Steve is quite right to suggest that there are other ''drivers'' to this issue....but please be assured we are working on these too.

As a not infrequent user of public transport, both train and bus, to and from Wolverhampton I again have some sympathy with your stance on the bus shelter. We will take on board your comments in this respect and I undertake to re-consider our stance on removal taking account of our wider longer term strategy. However I have to recognise that asking for removal is an option.

I regret that the police alone, even with the powers that we have, which we are using, will not cure the problem in Broad Street over night. I hope I have adequately explained why. Nevertheless I hope I have given some assurances of my stance in this regard. Broad Street does need to be tackled.....we are having some successes with measures we implement at night (which would not be applicable to the day). I will play my part as best I can, as will my officers.

Please be assured that, notwithstanding some of my earlier comments, I welcome the interest you are taking on the city centre on behalf of your constituents. I too take my responsibilities seriously to the people I serve."