'We need to breathe new life into Dudley: Town centre review urged after latest vandal attack

A senior councillor has called for a full review of Dudley Town Centre and its purpose after it was again targeted by vandals.

Shaukat Ali says it needs ‘new life breathed into it.’

Damage was again caused to the seating area of the town centre at the weekend, with pictures being posted on Facebook by Peter Westwood who runs Old Tom’s Donuts.

Commenting on the pictures, Chris Rogers said: “It was a matter of when just shows no police, the market has cameras? The seating area was attracting the wrong kind of people sadly.

Sally Keys said: “ Its an utter disgrace we can't have anything in Dudley without it being ruined”

Tony Middleton who stood for Castle and Priory in the May election said; “ A lack of respect for community. The culprits should be made to clean the area as part of rehabilitation .”

Recent weeks have seen a man stabbed in the town centre, vandalism to the seated area at the outdoor marker and problems with pigeon poo which Dudley Council has pledged to clean up .

Now opposition leader for Labour Councillor Ali, who represents St Thomas’s Ward on Dudley Council has called for a ‘re-think’ on the purpose of the town centre, and how it can be improved, made safer and cleaned up.

He said: “The latest incident of vandalism has been reported to the police and I have brought it up with the local team, as well as Councillor Damian Corfield, the cabinet member for neighbourhoods.

“But it is part of a wider issue in Dudley town centre which seems to have problems attracting people to come and shop there whether because of anti social behaviour, parking, the range of shops or generally the way it is perceived.

“Rather than increasing police patrols or generally cracking down on anti-social behaviour, which does need to be done, I think the whole area needs new life breathed into it to revamp it and make it more attractive for people to come and use it.

“That includes the traders who have suffered as well from anti social behaviour and problems - is it an attractive area for them to come and open a store whether that be a market stall or shop?.

“I think it needs the council, the police, traders and the public to get together and if not start again, then try and breathe new life into the town centre.”

West Midlands Police have been contacted for comment on the vandalism which occurred at the weekend.