West Midlands Police have introduced two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Wolverhampton city centre and Bentley Bridge to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) as the school term ends and summer break begins.
Patrols and community reassurance
Officers are conducting regular patrols in these areas to reassure the community and deter potential offenders. The force has extra powers under the PSPOs to tackle ASB effectively.
Insp Sophie Clement, from Wolverhampton Police, stated: "Anti-social behaviour has a real impact on people and it is just not acceptable. We do not want shoppers, residents, businesses, visitors to have to put up with it and our officers are regularly patrolling spaces and places we know can see ASB."
Collaboration with partners
Police are working with Safer Travel colleagues to monitor and police bus routes, especially between Wolverhampton city centre and Bentley Bridge. They are also engaging with shop staff and the public to encourage reporting of ASB.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "Neighbourhood officers regularly carry out patrols to offer reassurance and deter those people who may have anti-social behaviour or any form of criminality on their minds. The police teams work closely with partners like Wolverhampton City Council and local schools on joint operations to discourage youngsters from causing ASB."
HomeSafe initiative
Earlier this month, mounted officers joined teachers from St Regis School and staff from Travel WM and the Helix Education Hub on a patrol starting at the city's bus station. They spoke with young people about the PSPOs as part of the HomeSafe initiative, which aims to build positive relationships, identify areas where ASB can occur, and encourage early intervention.
The force urged the public: "We'd ask that if you do experience ASB you let us know, either by calling 101 or messaging on Live Chat on our website."
