'Stourbridge has one of the lowest crime rates in the country' - MP defends town after police report raised concerns over anti-social behaviour
Stourbridge's MP has said the town is one of the safest in the country after police voiced concerns about anti-social behaviour.
Cat Eccles spoke of 'misleading stats' and 'people talking the town down' after a police report revealed violent crime in Stourbridge town centre was 40 per cent higher than the national average.
The report, by 'designing out crime' officer Pc Bob Manson, also revealed that anti-social behaviour was 50 per cent higher than the national average, and burglary 26 per cent.
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But Miss Eccles,. who is also ward councillor for Wollaston and Stourbridge Town on Dudley Council, said the statistics were misleading and were largely down to an increased willingness to report anti-social behaviour, and a specific problem at a car park in Market Street.
"Stourbridge town has one of the lowest rates of crime and anti-social behaviour per capita nationally, and this is falling year on year," she said.
"In fact in the most recent statistics, all types of crime have fallen across the West Midlands.
"What has increased is reporting of anti-social behaviour incidents, most of which were associated with the car park off Market Street."
