Kingshurst crimes spark concerns about policing

TRIBUTES: Flowers in Haselour Road, near where Callum Lees suffered
fatal wounds - one of several serious incidents this month.

RESIDENTS who have lived in Kingshurst for decades have told a public meeting that crime on the estate has never been as bad as it is now.
Scores of people had packed into St Barnabas Church to voice concerns about the police response; claiming that foot patrols were non-existent and that officers had failed to act when offences were reported.
This month’s meeting had been organised by Meriden’s MP, Dame Caroline Spelman, amid rising anxiety within the community.
While the murder of 20-year-old Callum Lees had been widely publicised, various other incidents were highlighted during the course of the 90 minute event.
These included a young man being threatened with a meat cleaver outside KFC, flagrant drug dealing and incidents of pensioners being deliberately knocked over by bikes.
Coun Debbie Evans (UKIP, Kingshurst & Fordbridge) said that residents had lost faith in the police.
“There was an incident on the Parade involving knives. They phoned 999 and it was engaged.
“When they finally got through it took [officers] half an hour to get there, by which time the kids had gone.
“I have lived on Kingshurst for most of my adult life and I have never known anything like this.”
One resident claimed to be “scared out of their wits” while another spoke of her frustration that concerns did not appear to be acted upon.
“I have lived here for 52 years...I like this community and I have always been quite proud to say I come from this area, until now.”
As tensions boiled over, a panel which included Dame Caroline, Solihull Chief Insp Colin Barnes and representatives from Solihull Council sought to reassure the audience.
Chief Insp Barnes insisted the force would act on reports from the public, although he admitted that cuts had affected police responses.
Echoing comments made at a meeting in Castle Bromwich back in January, he acknowledged there had been a particular shortage of call handlers.
“We have been aware of the issues with the 101 [non-emergency] number for a few months and that we couldn’t always get to the calls.
“We have known this on the front line for a while and it took a while for that to filter up the chain of command.
“There has been a recruitment drive and I hope that is starting to pay dividends.”
Official figures suggest crime rates in Kingshurst have been erratic over the past five years, with a fall in offending some years and a rise in others.

• Next week we will report on the questions about youth services raised at the same meeting.