Increased police presence in response to public concerns

Better Youth facilities in the pipeline

A survey of residents in Dudley Wood carried out by Conservative Party candidate for Stourbridge, Margot James, highlighted residents concerns as follows:

• Lack of police presence. This was mentioned as a problem by more than three quarters of respondents most of whom also said they never or hardly ever see police on the streets in the area.
• Anti-social behaviour of various types: groups of youths hanging around, intimidating and sometimes abusing passers by, under age drinking, dog fouling, litter and graffiti.
• Speeding traffic, the state of some of the roads and inconsiderate parking.
• Lack of facilities for young people in the area.

Margot James reported these concerns to police earlier this year and was pleased to hear that police presence had been stepped up, particularly on the Saltwells Estate.

Margot toured Dudley Wood with Netherton and Saltwells Police last week and discussed the improvements and what more needed to be done. There are now more patrols going out on foot and the tour confirmed that many local residents knew the police by name, and vice versa.

Dudley Council are investing in the area alongside the police. Work has begun on the building of a BMX park just above the football pitch and this should be completed this Summer. Likewise improved facilities for local youths is part of the remit of the wider Quarry Bank regeneration scheme.