Police and council crews team up to clean up Walsall car park linked to anti-social behaviour

Town centre St Matthews Police officers linked up with officers from the West Midlands Police Safer Streets Summer Team and Walsall Council to take action at the Union Street Car Park.

The car park had become a magnet for rough sleepers and anti-social behaviour including drug-taking, abandoned vehicles and fly-tipping.

An on-site visit was conducted on July 15 with Walsall Council, which included representatives from community safety, protection asset management and parking enforcement teams.

On July 25, the site was completely cleared out including needles and fly-tipped waste with abandoned vehicles recovered, while rough sleepers were engaged with and moved on.

Sergeant Alex Backrath, Walsall neighbourhood policing manager, said: “This is a great example of partnership working. We had received a number of complaints of anti-social behaviour associated with the car park which included drug taking and needles which were being discarded on the site.

“Working closely with Walsall Council and other partners we have addressed the issues surrounding the site.”

Councillor Adam Hicken, portfolio holder for enforcement and safe communities, said: “This operation shows our commitment to firm and effective enforcement when it’s needed.

“The behaviour taking place at Union Street car park was unacceptable and by working closely with West Midlands Police, we’ve taken decisive action to clear the site, remove hazards, and stop further misuse. We won’t hesitate to act where public spaces are being abused.”

Officers have been carrying out #SaferStreetsSummer operations in the town centre where West Midlands Police carry out patrols and support local businesses.

It is part of a national initiative running in town centres and high streets across the UK focusing on anti-social behaviour, retail and street crime.