Street attacks leave families 'living in fear' in Walsall

People living in Palfrey and Caldmore have shared their fears after a spate of incidents in recent months where people have been injured in an attack when weapons were used.

The latest took place on Sunday evening, where two men aged 18 and 19 were arrested after disorder broke out in Rutter Street.

Police found a baton, knife and baseball bat in the street.

Previous incidents include a man being stabbed in Countess Street on May 25 and a street brawl in Milton Street in early July that left two people injured.

• MORE: Knife, baton and baseball bat found after disorder in Walsall

A spokesman for the Palfrey and Caldmore Neighbourhood Watch group said the incidents have left the community 'living in fear' and has asked that West Midlands Police do more to tackle the problem urgently.

Imran Arif, secretary of the group, said: "These incidents have raised the fear of crime within our close-knit community, we have had three incidents involving weapons in just a few months.

"This clearly shows that there are people carrying weapons in the neighbourhood without fear that they will be tackled by the law.

"This makes the local residents feel scared to walk their own streets.

"People have raised concerns over a lack of basic policing in the neighbourhood and police not tackling the issues of loitering gangs and anti-social behaviour.

"We have had excuses in response but these issues need to be resolved in house as our community are paying the consequences."

Inspector Adam Reynolds, from Walsall police, said: "We are aware of some tensions between two groups in the Caldmore and Palfrey area over the past few days. Officers have been called to reports of fights in the area.

"Police have arrested two men on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons and have recovered a knife and a baton.

"Inquiries are on-going and local neighbourhood officers are patrolling the area."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.