Nine new enforcement officers to be recruited in £1.2m Wolverhampton anti-social behaviour crackdown

Nine new enforcement officers are set to be recruited in Wolverhampton as part of a £1.2 million investment aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour across the city.

Wolverhampton Council's cabinet approved the package of measures yesterday (November 4) with plans to increase patrols in the city centre and on local high streets.

The investment will also fund youth intervention programmes, strengthen community safety services and support initiatives aimed at making Wolverhampton safer at night.

A dedicated team of nine community safety enforcement officers will be established to tackle nuisance behaviour in public places and enforce Public Spaces Protection Orders across the city.

The officers will work alongside West Midlands Police, with an emphasis on engaging with and educating residents before taking enforcement action against those responsible for persistent anti-social behaviour.

Council bosses say the additional officers will provide a more visible presence in neighbourhoods, offering reassurance to residents and businesses.

The investment will also see the council take back direct control of the city's public place and tenure-neutral anti-social behaviour service, which is currently managed by Wolverhampton Homes.

The move will allow the authority to make greater use of enforcement powers available to councils, including new powers being introduced through national legislation.

Wolverhampton Homes will continue to deal with anti-social behaviour involving its properties and estates.

Alongside the enforcement measures, funding has been approved to support programmes aimed at preventing young people from becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.

These include the Yo! Rise pilot projects, the Your Spaces activity programme and outreach work at Bentley Bridge Retail Park, which are delivered in partnership with voluntary and community organisations.

The council says the initiatives are helping to tackle problems before they escalate by encouraging young people to take part in positive activities.

Meanwhile, the city's Safer Nights programme will continue to receive funding, supporting measures designed to improve safety in Wolverhampton city centre after dark.

These include extended opening hours at the Safe Haven, Night Guardian patrols, enhanced CCTV monitoring and taxi marshalling.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, cabinet member for health, wellbeing and community, said: "The approval of this investment demonstrates our commitment to making Wolverhampton's communities safer through a balanced approach that focuses on prevention first, while ensuring we have the right enforcement measures available when needed.

"People tell us that anti-social behaviour is one of their biggest concerns, and we are responding with action.

"We know that the most effective way to tackle anti-social behaviour is to prevent it from happening in the first place, and that's why a significant part of this investment is focused on supporting young people, funding early intervention programmes and building on successful projects that are already making a difference in our communities."

Councillor Ahmed said the recruitment of the nine officers would help the council respond more effectively to problems affecting residents and businesses.

She added: "The recruitment of nine new Community Safety Enforcement Officers will also give us a far more visible presence in our neighbourhoods and on our high streets.

"Their role will be to engage with residents, businesses and young people, work alongside partners including the police, and use enforcement powers where individuals continue to cause problems for their communities.

"This is about protecting communities, supporting our young people, backing businesses and making Wolverhampton an even safer place to live, work and visit."