'No-one has a right to make residents feel unsafe' - Stourbridge MP speaks out at meeting against anti-social behaviour

Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles, police and council officials addressed issues at an event held at Wollaston Village Hall on Friday (October 17).

The forum gave residents the opportunity to raise their concerns directly and hear from public officers about what measures are being taken to reduce speeding and deter anti-social behaviour in the community.

Most people at the meeting had contacted the MP regarding dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour across the area, with particular concern about speeding on Thorns Road in Brierley Hill, Ham Lane in Pedmore, Mill Race Lane and the Stourbridge Ring Road.

Ms Eccles said she would be working with national road crash charity Roadpeace to work on potential legislation offering improvements for local authorities and police to tackle reckless driving on the roads, saying that these issues are not only prevalent in her constituency, but across the country.

In particular highways bosses and police said they were working to bring the speed limit down on Ham Lane in Pedmore where police officers and members of the Community Speedwatch team have held sessions monitoring the average speed of motorists on the stretch.

Adam Cross, traffic engineering lead at Dudley Council, discussed data led assessments led by the council, analysing collision history, speed data and complaints on key roads. He assured residents the council is looking at proactive, long-term solutions.

Adam Reeve of the council's anti-social behaviour team discussed policy changes over the last 18 months, leading to an increased satisfaction rating. 

Whilst noting things still needed to change, Mr Reeve stated that the data demonstrated things were moving in the right direction. 

PCs Mohammed Imran and Johnathan Edwards emphasised neighbourhood policing teams were stretched but remain committed to urgent 999 calls as well as long-term community problem-solving. 

PC Imran said they were working with area businesses, councils, and residents to address anti-social behaviour, using tools like Community Protection Notices, Criminal Behaviour Orders, and diversionary courses. 

Whilst he said resources are limited and often diverted, officers stress partnership work and community reporting are making progress, with short- and medium-term actions already in place.

Cat Eccles said: “It was amazing to see so many residents and stakeholders together to discuss solutions and explain what is already happening to tackle speeding and ASB in our area. 

"No one has a right to make residents feel unsafe and I am committed to acting on the information discussed at the meeting, and in parliament, to ensure our streets are made safer and residents can feel confident on the roads."

She said residents should contact her at cat.eccles.mp@parliament.uk to be added to her update list on this issue.