Darlaston's King Street Plagued by Persistent Anti-Social Behaviour
Local residents and business owners in Darlaston are urgently calling for the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on King Street and its surrounding areas. The demand comes in response to escalating issues with street drinking, drug abuse, and violent incidents that are severely impacting the community's quality of life.
Cafe Owner Describes Daily Disruption
Adrian Walker, co-owner of the Scabby Oss Cafe on Darlaston's main high street, has provided a stark account of the ongoing problems. "Drinkers are here all day, every day and all night, every night," he stated, highlighting the relentless nature of the disturbances.
Walker detailed specific incidents, including witnessing a fist fight over a can of beer outside his business at 3:30 PM, a time when families should feel safe. He also noted that after school hours, youths on electric motorbikes cause havoc along the high street, damaging cars, while evenings bring a return of disruptive drinkers.
"My friend who lives here tries to put his child to bed but all he can hear is shouting and glass smashing," Walker added. "The back of the library is being used as a public toilet. I used to jump on and off that wall when I was a kid but it's not safe now."
Political Support for PSPO Implementation
Councillor Lucie Nahal, ward member for Bentley and Darlaston North, has formally called on Walsall Council to support a PSPO for King Street. She emphasized that King Street serves as the heart of Darlaston, with numerous businesses relying on a safe environment to thrive.
"We called for it because King Street is the heart of Darlaston," Councillor Nahal explained. "There's loads of businesses that want this place to be a success. But we have quite a lot of antisocial behaviour, drinkers, people on off-road bikes. It prevents people from coming here and that doesn't help the businesses at all."
At a recent council meeting, portfolio holder for enforcement and safe communities, Councillor Adam Hicken, expressed his support for the order, confirming that evidence is currently being collected to meet legal requirements.
Longstanding Community Concerns
Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Matt Ward, acknowledged that residents have been demanding action on King Street for an extended period. "This has been a work in progress but we're nowhere near getting it in place, we've still got to go through the court process," he noted. "So we need as much evidence as we can."
Ward further commented on broader neglect, stating, "The reality is Darlaston has been abandoned for years by the council and the last 14 years by the government. This is just one of the tools that'll help bring shoppers into the high street. People need to feel confident to go out but at the moment they don't and that's not fair on residents."
Adam Mohammed, Labour candidate for Bentley and Darlaston North, echoed these sentiments, stressing the economic impact. "We need our businesses to thrive, Darlaston has been up and down in terms of the high street. There's a number of shops that have closed down," he said.
Council's Response and Legal Process
A spokesperson for Walsall Council outlined the formal procedure for establishing a PSPO, which operates under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The process requires:
- Evidence of persistent, unreasonable behaviour harming quality of life
- Formal consultation with police, stakeholders, and the public
- Approval specifying restrictions, area, duration (up to three years), and penalties
- Public signage and potential High Court challenges within six weeks
- Regular reviews and justification for extensions
The council confirmed that Community Safety and Enforcement staff are currently patrolling Darlaston and collaborating with partners to address reported issues. "The council fully intends to implement a PSPO should the correct legal tests be met," the spokesperson affirmed.
For immediate concerns, the council encourages reporting environmental crimes like litter, fly tipping, and graffiti, as well as anti-social behaviour through their website. Serious incidents should be reported to West Midlands Police via 999 or their online platform. West Midlands Police has been approached for an official statement regarding the situation.
