Featherstone villagers 'living in fear', say councillors
A village has been put on high alert after a 14 burglaries in less than two months.
More visible police officers have been put onto the streets of Featherstone near Wolverhampton following of spate of break-ins but councillors say residents are living in fear
Staffordshire Police has said it has amended officers' shifts while on patrol in a bid to curb the crimewave.
Houses, sheds and garages have all been targeted by crooks with the villains striking in the early hours of the morning.
The burglaries have been at homes around Baneberry Drive and Turnstone Drive.
Councillor for Featherstone Frank Beardsmore claims one resident has resorted to going to bed with a baseball bat.
He said: "It is of concern because people are living in fear in their own homes. They're scared to get up in the morning and see what has happen.
"I know of one gentleman who has taken a baseball bat to bed because he feels that's the only way to defend himself.
"The people who are doing this are taking whatever they can and it is leaving a lot of people out of pocket."
Councillor Beardsmore said that he wants to meet with Staffordshire Police to address the problem.
He added "We want to talk with officers because we would like to see patrols during the early hours.
"There needs to be a plan of action because it can't continue. These break-ins are happening between midnight and 4am, at times when people should be sound asleep.
"Something needs to be done."
Sergeant Tim Heap of Watling Street Police Station said that one person has been arrested in connection with the incidents.
He said since April there had been 22 burglaries in the Featherstone and Shareshill area but 14 had happened been since September.
Sgt Heap said: "In the first half of the year the rate was considerably low but since September this number has picked up.
"They have been at homes, sheds and garages in particular and we are looking at this.
"We have addressed it by putting more visible patrols in the neighbourhood and hours have been changed to address this."
Anyone with information into the burglaries can contact Sgt Heap on 101.
They can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
