'Wolverhampton is no longer seen as a safe city,' nightlife boss tells council leader
A Wolverhampton bar owner has challenged civic leaders to join him on a walk about the city at night, saying it is no longer a safe place for visitors.
Shaun Keasey, chairman of Wolverhampton Pub Watch, has written to council leader Councillor Stephen Simkins and chief executive Tim Johnson asking them if they have 'lost control' of the city.
Mr Keasey, who owns a number of bars in the city, said his members went to great lengths to keep their premises safe, but said these efforts were not reflected by those in charge of public safety.
He said trading conditions were getting worse with each passing week, with little being done to make the city more welcoming to visitors.
Councillor Simkins said efforts by the police and council had seen crime in the city centre fall by 16 per cent, and robberies by 50 per cent.
But Mr Keasey said that ignored the obvious link with a fall in the number of people visiting the city.
"Horrific crimes are being reported with increasing frequency," said Mr Keasey.
"The city centre is dirty and plagued by rats, litter, and anti-social behaviour.
