POLICE DETAILS
West Midlands Police - Wolverhampton City Centre Neighbourhood

Business Crime – driving down retail crime and bringing offenders to justice.

Serious Youth Violence ?- taking a firm stance on reducing violence involving young people through targeted patrols with support from wider force resources to enhance the work of local teams.? Intervening at the point of lower level anti-social behavior and providing support and diversion through the wider partnership. ??

Violence against women and girls – making the City Centre a safe place and promoting safety in the night-time economy

Business Crime – driving down retail crime and bringing offenders to justice.

We have been conducting high visibility patrols on our high street, attending incidents and making arrests. Our officers are investigating incidents of shop theft on a daily basis and working to provide a positive outcome for our retailers. In addition, we have specialist operations targeting suspicious behaviour and working to prevent crime before it takes place. Our PCSO's are proactively engaging with staff at premises to understand how we can work in partnership to reduce incidents of offending and increase our visibility at vulnerable times.

Serious Youth Violence ?- taking a firm stance on reducing violence involving young people through targeted patrols with support from wider force resources to enhance the work of local teams.? Intervening at the point of lower level anti-social behavior and providing support and diversion through the wider partnership. ??

We are working closely with teams and partners across the local policing area to engage hotspots known for incidents of serious youth violence. This includes proactive intelligence led stop/searches in an effort to remove weapons from our streets and keep our communities safe. Work is being undertaken around our transport hubs in the city which we know are hotspots for ASB and violence and this is underpinned by specialist operations including project Servitor. Our knife surrender bin at St Peters gardens has seen a large number of bladed articles voluntarily surrendered, and this is reinforced with weapon sweeps throughout the city centre.

Violence against women and girls – making the City Centre a safe place and promoting safety in the night-time economy

Officers are engaging with licenced premises to ensure safety measures are in place to reduce incidents of spiking and harassment of females during night time economy. In addition, lone females are being supported in getting home safely and any suspicious behaviour dealt with swiftly and effectively. We are working with partners such as late night safe haven to reinforce the message that everyone has the right to feel safe when visiting Wolverhampton at night.

Business Crime – driving down retail crime and bringing offenders to justice.

We have been conducting high visibility patrols on our high street, attending incidents and making arrests. Our officers are investigating incidents of shop theft on a daily basis and working to provide a positive outcome for our retailers. In addition, we have specialist operations targeting suspicious behaviour and working to prevent crime before it takes place. Our PCSO's are proactively engaging with staff at premises to understand how we can work in partnership to reduce incidents of offending and increase our visibility at vulnerable times.

Serious Youth Violence ?- taking a firm stance on reducing violence involving young people through targeted patrols with support from wider force resources to enhance the work of local teams.? Intervening at the point of lower level anti-social behavior and providing support and diversion through the wider partnership. ??

We are working closely with teams and partners across the local policing area to engage hotspots known for incidents of serious youth violence. This includes proactive intelligence led stop/searches in an effort to remove weapons from our streets and keep our communities safe. Work is being undertaken around our transport hubs in the city which we know are hotspots for ASB and violence and this is underpinned by specialist operations including project Servitor. Our knife surrender bin at St Peters gardens has seen a large number of bladed articles voluntarily surrendered, and this is reinforced with weapon sweeps throughout the city centre.

Violence against women and girls – making the City Centre a safe place and promoting safety in the night-time economy

Officers are engaging with licenced premises to ensure safety measures are in place to reduce incidents of spiking and harassment of females during night time economy. In addition, lone females are being supported in getting home safely and any suspicious behaviour dealt with swiftly and effectively. We are working with partners such as late night safe haven to reinforce the message that everyone has the right to feel safe when visiting Wolverhampton at night.

Business Crime – working with local businesses and ensuring we deal with reported crimes effectively to prevent further offences.

We continue to conduct high visibility patrols on our high street (Dudley Street), attending incidents and making arrests. Our officers are investigating incidents of shop theft on a daily basis and working to provide a positive outcome for our retailers. In addition, we have specialist operations targeting suspicious behaviour and working to prevent crime before it takes place. Our PCSO's are proactively engaging with staff at premises to understand how we can work in partnership to reduce incidents of offending and increase our visibility at vulnerable times. We also have plain clothed officers working in the city centre and approaching our well known offenders.

Violence against women and girls – making the City Centre a safe place and promoting safety in the night-time economy

Our teams are passionate about making the city a safe place during the day and night. We have plain clothed officers out every Friday and Saturday from September into October as we welcome more people into the city. Officers are engaging with licensed premises to ensure safety measures are in place to reduce incidents of spiking and harassment of females during night time economy. In addition, lone females are being supported in getting home safely and any suspicious behaviour dealt with swiftly and effectively. We are working with partners such as late night safe haven to reinforce the message that everyone has the right to feel safe when visiting Wolverhampton at night.

Anti-social behaviour - early evenings

We know we have key locations within the city where anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur. Our incident logs provide data to direct our patrols so we are in the right places at the right time. We concentrate on patrols around Dudley Street, Queen Street and Victoria Square. A Public Space Protection Order has been granted for the city centre to provide a long term approach to reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour that is committed by groups of people. Residents, visitors and businesses can enjoy a safer space without fear of confrontation.

Business Crime and other theft – working with local businesses and ensuring we deal with reported crimes effectively to prevent further offences.

This time of year we start to see more thefts where victims have money stolen from bags they are carrying. Often the victims of these offences are elderly and they money is taken without them being aware until they come to pay for something or return home and notice money is missing. Thankfully the numbers are low but we ask everyone to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.

We continue to conduct high visibility patrols on our high street (Dudley Street), attending incidents and making arrests. Our officers are investigating incidents of shop theft on a daily basis and working to provide a positive outcome for our retailers. In addition, we have specialist operations targeting suspicious behaviour and working to prevent crime before it takes place. Our PCSO's are proactively engaging with staff at premises to understand how we can work in partnership to reduce incidents of offending and increase our visibility at vulnerable times. We also have plain clothed officers working in the city centre and approaching our well known offenders.

If you know where stolen goods are being taken and sold or information people who are committing thefts in the city, you can call police or report via Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111 or online (this is a charity and you can report anonymously).

Violence against women and girls – making the City Centre a safe place and promoting safety in the night-time economy

Our teams are passionate about making the city a safe place during the day and night. Local officers carried out additional patrols through September and October - they enjoy being out in plain clothes and speaking to as many people as possible, whether to help or deal with an issue.
Our plans are set for the festive period and we have an uplift in uniformed officers who will be working overnight across the city every weekend. Officers are engaging with licensed premises to ensure safety measures are in place to reduce incidents of spiking and harassment of females during night time economy. In addition, lone females are being supported in getting home safely and any suspicious behaviour dealt with swiftly and effectively. We are working with partners such as late night safe haven to reinforce the message that everyone has the right to feel safe when visiting Wolverhampton at night.

Anti-social behaviour - early evenings

Last month we talked about work we are doing to reduce ASB during early evenings. This month we have a team of plain clothed officers on duty in the day and early evenings and they are focusing on Piper's Row and St. Peter's Gardens. They have already arrested 4 people who were wanted for outstanding matters.

We know we have key locations within the city where anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur. Our incident logs provide data to direct our patrols so we are in the right places at the right time. We continue to concentrate on Dudley Street, Queen Street and Victoria Square. A Public Space Protection Order has been granted for the city centre to provide a long term approach to reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour that is committed by groups of people. Residents, visitors and businesses can enjoy a safer space without fear of confrontation.

Business Crime and other theft – working with local businesses and ensuring we deal with reported crimes effectively to prevent further offences.

On the 26th December a city centre business was burgled just after 8pm. Officers from our response teams attended but the suspect had left a short time before. We identified him through enquiries and he was arrested the next morning. We didn't recover the stolen property despite searches but he was charged and put before the court.

We ask that you are vigilant when withdrawing cash and report anyone you think is acting suspiciously. The elderly can be targeted when they carry cash and we want to stop these offences from happening.

We continue to conduct high visibility patrols on our high street (Dudley Street), attending incidents and making arrests. Our officers are investigating incidents of shop theft on a daily basis and working to provide a positive outcome for our retailers. In addition, we have specialist operations targeting suspicious behaviour and working to prevent crime before it takes place. Our PCSO's are proactively engaging with staff at premises to understand how we can work in partnership to reduce incidents of offending and increase our visibility at vulnerable times. We also have plain clothed officers working in the city centre and approaching our well known offenders.

If you know where stolen goods are being taken and sold or information people who are committing thefts in the city, you can call police or report via Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111 or online (this is a charity and you can report anonymously).

Violence against women and girls – making the City Centre a safe place and promoting safety in the night-time economy

At the end of November we ran a joint operation with police officers from the Safer Travel team focusing our patrols around the bus station, bus stops and bus routes. Our aim was to prevent any violent and sexual offences in these places and to offer reassurance by our presence. We spoke to a good number of people and explained why we were there and the intention of the day's work.

We have continued to see Project Servator officers in the city centre, helping deter crime and keeping you safe.

In December we have extra officers on patrol during a Friday and Saturday night. We call this Operation Silent Night. We start planning this operation in February so are prepared for the extra number of visitors and events the month brings.

The late night safe haven in Queens Square will be open throughout the month offering support and practical advice as needed.

Anti-social behaviour - early evenings

Last month we talked about work we are doing to reduce anti-social behaviour during early evenings - this an ongoing piece of work as the city becomes busier during December. As last month, we still have a team of plain clothed officers on duty in the day and early evenings and they are focusing on Piper's Row, Dudley Street and St. Peter's Gardens. There have been arrests for thefts, drug offences and burglary in the last 2 week linked to that work.

We know we have key locations within the city where anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur. Our incident logs provide data to direct our patrols so we are in the right places at the right time. A Public Space Protection Order has been granted for the city centre to provide a long term approach to reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour that is committed by groups of people. Residents, visitors and businesses can enjoy a safer space without fear of confrontation.

Report anti-social behaviour so we are aware and can target our patrols.

Business Crime and other theft – working with local businesses and ensuring we deal with reported crimes effectively to prevent further offences. We want to continue catching those responsible for this crime.

The teams have been really busy over the Christmas period and we continue to get a positive outcome for a number of theft offences. We see many of the same faces committing this crime and try and intervene to break the cycle of offending.

We continue to conduct high visibility patrols on our high street (Dudley Street), attending incidents and making arrests. Our officers are investigating incidents of shop theft on a daily basis and working to provide a positive outcome for our retailers. In addition, we have specialist operations targeting suspicious behaviour and working to prevent crime before it takes place. Our PCSO's are proactively engaging with staff at premises to understand how we can work in partnership to reduce incidents of offending and increase our visibility at vulnerable times. We also have plain clothed officers working in the city centre and approaching our well known offenders.

If you know where stolen goods are being taken and sold or information people who are committing thefts in the city, you can call police or report via Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111 or online (this is a charity and you can report anonymously).

Violence against women and girls – making the City Centre a safe place and promoting safety in the night-time economy

Throughout December we had extra officers working in the city centre for Operation Silent Night. Over ten nights, the officers patrolled near to city centre bars and clubs but also visited a wide range of pubs across the city. We had arrests ranging from drink driving, theft, assaults, possession of drugs and some people who were wanted to failing to attend court. We do this to keep people safe and deal with problems as promptly as possible.

We worked on another parking operation with our partner agency as some people park their vehicles illegally and we have been receiving complaints. Illegal parking can cause a risk to pedestrians and we want to encourage people to park on city centre car parks.

January is a quieter month as everyone recovers from Christmas and the new year but we still have officers out on patrol responding to calls.

Project Servator officers will be out in the city centre in January, helping deter crime and keeping you safe.

Anti-social behaviour - early evenings

Last month we talked about work we are doing to reduce anti-social behaviour during early evenings - the footfall was high in December as more visitors came to shop and enjoy nights out. We still have a team of plain clothed officers on duty in the day and early evenings and they are focusing on St Peter's Gardens, the bus station and Dudley Street this month.

In response to concerns about ASB caused by a shop in Wulfruna Street, West Midlands Police went to court and obtained a Closure Order - this is issued under the Anti-Social Crime and Disorder Act 2014. The shop, Broad Express, is now closed for 3 months. We hope this will improve the area and reduce issues around anti-social behaviour and crime in the area. The impact of crime is detrimental to people in the local area for a variety of reasons.

We know we have key locations within the city where anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur. Our incident logs provide data to direct our patrols so we are in the right places at the right time. A Public Space Protection Order has been granted for the city centre to provide a long term approach to reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour that is committed by groups of people. Residents, visitors and businesses can enjoy a safer space without fear of confrontation.

Report anti-social behaviour so we are aware and can target our patrols.