Yob attacks which left residents in two Black Country streets afraid to go out at night have died down after police increased patrols and installed a camera.
In Cameo Drive and Dennis Street, Amblecote, Stourbridge, they stole and damaged cars, sprayed graffiti and shouted abuse.
Residents were so concerned they demanded a meeting with Dudley Council and police to find measures to tackle problems.
Police increased patrols at night and community support officers also stage regular visits to the streets.
A camera was also installed in the street last week to monitor any activity so that police are able to respond quickly to any trouble.
The yob attacks started in February.
Residents also claimed to have seen sexual activities taking place out in the open and say dog excrement thrown around and at homes.
In one attack, a stone was thrown at a car, smashing the back window and sending pieces of glass into the vehicle and on to a child seat.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said the increased patrols had made a difference and hopes were high the camera would also be effective.
“Compared to what it was like just a couple of months ago this is a real difference and the number of incidents have dropped,” he said.
“It is a lot better and it goes to show what can be achieved when the community works together.
“It makes a change from the apathy which seems so prevalent these days.”
Councillor Pat Martin, who took up the problem for residents, said that she was pleased to hear the attacks had subsided.
“I have been contacted by residents in these streets to say how the situation has changed,” she said.
“Residents in these streets were at the end of their tether after weeks of serious attacks and now they have their quality of life back,” she said.
“It is an extremely good result and will make a real difference to the lives of many people living in the streets.”
By Lee Watton
4 Comments
Would you believe it, the Police have put more of themselves out on the streets to be seen, and yobbish behaviour has decreasted. Wonder if the rest of the Police Forces will take note and start doing this? This is what the public want, safe streets to walk around and without the threat of these evil youngsters who a good hiding wouldn’t hurt.
The residants of stourbridge are lucky to get extra police drafted on the streets,where i live ive seen one police officer on foot in two year’s.i actually spoke to him as he was taking notes outside of my house.i asked politly what he was doing,he explained he was sent out on foot to take note of over growth,i.e bushes, trees etc of peoples property over hanging footpaths.i was one who was told to cut my bushes back becuase it slightly restricted the walk way,what the hells all that about!im so glad the police force can send an officer out to take note of overgrowth.brainless!.
You won’t change their behaviour though, so its not really solving the problem. They’ve just moved elsewhere to annoy someone else.
I live on the Kingsway estate in Wollaston, an area that is rife with anti-social behaviour from the local yobs (vandalism, verbal abuse, damage to property, drug dealing/taking etc etc). Residents have made numerous complaints to the police, attended local community meetings (with police) and have been in contact with local councillors, more recently a coffe morning this week with Lynda Waltho. What is being done? Nothing.