Staffordshire village group launched over crime worry
Villagers in Staffordshire have launched a committee following increased concerns over thefts and anti-social behaviour after the closure of its full-time police station.
Officers have not been based full-time at Kinver police station for more than 12 months – instead travelling from up to 20 miles away to attend emergencies.
Neighbourhood police do still hold regular community advice surgeries and meetings in Kinver Library.
But residents and parish councillors say they have become increasingly worried about the lack of a visible police presence in the village.
Kinver Parish Council has started its own committee, which will meet regularly throughout the year, as a platform for residents to air issues to officers.
Main crime concerns have focused on thefts from cars and anti-social behaviour at the toilets at Kinver Edge and Highgate Common.
They have also raised concerns over yobs tearing around the car park and fields near the Kinver Sports and Community Association building by the Marsh playing fields.
Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis has now stepped in to announce plans to host a formal meeting into the issue.
Kinver Parish Council chairman, Councillor Julian Hall, today said: "We do not feel that we have been given a fair crack of the whip since the closure of the station.
"People are driving their cars around the playing fields and causing a nuisance but this is a long-running problem. We have been promised a meeting with the crime commissioner so that is good news."
Mr Ellis added: "I've spoken to the parish council chairman and the council's main concern remains the anti-social behaviour at the centre, which it's suspected is caused by young people coming across the border from the West Midlands.
"I'm calling a meeting in September in Kinver. The sole point will be to bring people together to find a solution to the anti-social behaviour problem at the community centre."
