Community operation hailed by Telford Police Inspector

A week long operation aimed at addressing quality of life issues within the local community of South Telford, was held last week and involved the Police, Telford & Wrekin Council, Wrekin Housing Trust and Bourneville. Other agencies included Shropshire Fire and Rescue and the DVLA.

Inspector Derek Holland, of the South Telford Local Policing Team, said the initiative, which ran from Monday to Friday and focussed on Madeley, Sutton Hill, Woodside and the Ironbridge Gorge, was extremely successful.

A number of vehicles were clamped or seized due to owners not taxing or insuring them, penalty notices were issued to drivers wearing no seat belts or driving while using a mobile phone, arrests were made in relation to drug warrants being issued, fly tipping areas and incidents of graffiti were identified, along with warning notices issued to drivers for contravening parking laws.

Other activity has included fire prevention visits and extra patrols by Police, Telford & Wrekin Council and local housing trusts.

Inspector Holland said: “This initiative has been a huge success and was focussed upon working together as partners to address quality of life issues within the local community.

“The DVLA have clamped five vehicles for having no tax and an additional 22 are being progressed in relation to having no tax. Those clamped have penalty charges to pay in addition to claiming back the tax avoided.

“In relation to the police use of ANPR technology, five vehicles were seized in total, four for no insurance with the drivers being reported and one for having no tax. Ten stop searches were undertaken which resulted in three positive searches for drug possession, two of which have been cautioned. One was arrested for possession of what we suspect to be heroin.

“Our partners within the local authority and housing trusts undertook localised patrols. A total of 41 fly tips were identified and eight reports of graffiti with follow up action including removal being undertaken.

“Other issues addressed by our partners included issues with tenants properties. Seven overgrown gardens were identified as well as 10 found to be full of rubbish.

“Trading standards also undertook patrol activity and engaged with local traders and I am pleased to say they were trading legitimately.

“Local Police officers have also been pro active during the week. My team have executed three warrants under the misuse of drugs act and on Thursday, two warrants were executed simultaneously in Shawfiled Close, Sutton Hill. These were successful warrants that resulted in four arrests.

“Further arrests were also undertaken during the week for a person found to be in possession of drugs and one who was wanted on warrant.

“Three warning notices were issued on the estates for vehicles being parked on grass verges, and two motorists were issued penalty notices for parking offences in Madeley. An additional five penalty notices were issued for no seat belt and using a mobile phone whilst driving.

“In addition to this, speed enforcement activity has been undertaken on roads that local residents have expressed concern to us, this included Legges Way, Madeley and Sutton Way, Sutton Hill. Seven drivers have been reported for exceeding the speed limit and one has been issued with a fixed penalty notice.

“Our colleagues in education welfare have also undertaken follow up activity in relation to students that have failed to attend schools, with additional support from our Community Support Officers.

“Shropshire Fire and Rescue have also been involved in relation to fire prevention visits, which have included patrols by risk reduction officers.

“Additional local police patrols have also been undertaken during the week by our Community Support Officers including those on our target team. They have also identified and reported environmental issues to our partners such as problems with street furniture and lighting.

“Overall, the initiative was extremely successful and I would like to thank the community for their support lat week.

“We do listen to what the community says and will act upon their concerns.”

Councillor Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member for Environment, Transport and Community Protection said: “We have worked closely with our partners to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and partnership initiatives like this help us to highlight day to day issues that are so important to people.

“It also provides an opportunity to work closely with our partners and local residents to tackle the issues that these communities face.