More police and youth activities say local leaders after bus stops smashed
Local leaders have spoken of their disappointment at vandalism in a Black Country town.
A number of bus shelters have been damaged around Sedgley, with windows smashed on the shelters on Dudley Street and Hurst Road.
The damaged shelters are part of a string of incidents involving young people, which have included stones being thrown at cars and property being damaged.
West Midlands Police have been working in the area to take action, with dispersal powers allowing officers to direct anyone to leave the area whose behaviour is likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress.
The damage to the bus stops and the other instances of anti-social behaviour have provoked strong responses from Sedgley Councillor Michael Evans and Dudley North MP Marco Longhi.
Councillor Evans said he felt that part of the problem had been a change in attitudes from younger people over the years.
He said: "I wonder where we're all going because years ago, we never had anything like this happening.
"I think what we've seen over the years is the taking away of indiscipline from school and that's partly to do with the problems we're having now.
"What I can't understand is how somebody can get some joy out of damaging property and throwing bricks at cars."
For Marco Longhi, the shocking thing to him was the ages of some of the younger people involved in the incidents.
He said: "We have seen some unsavoury events and some shocking cases of largely young people congregating and actually throwing stones at passing cars.
"I got on that immediately with the police, who have made some arrests and expect to make more, as this behaviour is completely unacceptable.
"What's shocking to me is some of these children are very young and are engaging in what is effectively criminal activity."
Both men said there were ways to deal with the issues, with Councillor Evans advocating a stronger police presence and Mr Longhi looking at investments in youth services.
Councillor Evans added: "What I'd like to see is more police on the beat because while we're getting more PCSOs, they have relatively little power in being able to impart their duties.
"I think stronger policing and stricter sentences when they are caught are the ways forward for me."
Mr Longhi would "definitely like to see what we can do to bring forward investment for younger people as I know these things can really work well".
"By engaging in these types of activities, it gives them a different sense of purpose and direction and has a more positive impact on them."
A spokesman for West Midlands Police commented: "We’re aware of one bus shelter smashed outside of the Concorde. We are examining CCTV.
"That’s now got new glass, as have the others mentioned, so they have also been repaired.
"We will check with Safer Travel to see if they are aware of others."
