Police pledge to tackle 'mindless criminal damage' in Willenhall
Police say they have been tackling 'mindless' criminal damage in the Willenhall and Bentley areas and will continue to do so.
They say they have seen a rise in anti-social behaviour in the areas this week with vehicles including buses, lorries, cars and people targeted by a group of young people.
West Midlands Police say they are determined to find those responsible and extra officers have been deployed in the area to offer reassurance to the community - they believe those responsible for the behaviour are youngsters between ten and 14.
Shortly before 3.40am, in the early hours of Monday, an object believed to be a brick was thrown at a milk lorry driving down Wolverhampton Road West, cracking a windscreen. Around five boys who were wearing hoodies and hats were seen running down a nearby alley close to the graveyard.
Shortly before 5.20am, on the same morning, a group of boys were seen throwing objects at a woman walking down the road, also on Wolverhampton Road West.
Then shortly before 6.40pm, on the same morning, a bus had its windows smashed and a taxi was also targeted.
On Tuesday, shortly after 2.10am, a group were seen throwing stones and bricks cracking windscreens of vehicles on open land on Anson Road in Bentley and a few minutes later a delivery driver had his vehicle attacked with bricks on Wolverhampton Road West.
Then last night (Wednesday), shortly after 7.50pm, bricks were thrown at cars on Churchill Road, Bentley.
WMP's Problem Solving Team is working with neighbourhood officers in Willenhall to find those responsible.
They say they are also working closely with partners including Walsall Council and Walsall Housing Group (whg) but need the public’s help to give us information.
PC Paul Benton, from our Problem Solving and Priorities Team, said: “There has been a number of incidents of criminal damage where vehicles and people have been targeted by young people been throwing objects such as bricks and stones at vehicles and people and this must stop.
“Our teams are working together to find those responsible and alongside our partners we will stamp out this totally unacceptable behaviour.
“I would also like to appeal to parents to take responsibility and make sure you know the whereabouts of your children. It is important parents help us by finding out where your child is and what they are doing. We really need to work together to stop this.”
People with information can contact us on 101 or you can report anonymously at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
