Officers working hard to crackdown on crime for all communities

Local policing team officers in Tamworth are working hard to reduce crime in response to the communities’ concerns.

As part of our #problemsolvingpolicing efforts, we have identified key locations to focus our proactive patrols, particularly in response to drug-dealing, knife-crime, nuisance motorbike use, anti-social behaviour and other types of crime affecting our communities. So far today, (Thursday 7 August) officers have attended calls including burglaries, suspicious activity, domestic abuse, shoplifting and vehicle crime.

We know that visibility and engagement with local communities has always been central to the British policing model and it is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we are determined to protect and serve our communities using all the resources we have, across all our different teams.

Last week, a man was jailed for four years and nine months after being convicted of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of a bladed article. Yasser Hussain, aged 24, was stopped-and-searched in April on New Street in Glascote. A combat knife, a quantity of heroin and crack cocaine was found along with almost £700 in cash. A search of an associated property revealed further class A drugs, class B drugs, a knuckle-duster and drug paraphernalia. Hussain went on to admit the offences in court and was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday (31 July). Our major and organised crime department continue to do all they can to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs in our communities and bring offenders to justice.

The same day, officers held a scrutiny panel on recent stop-and-searches with members of the community to make sure we’re doing all we can to ensure such instances are deemed valid on reasonable grounds and are carried out appropriately.

Then, on Tuesday this week (5 August) officers patrolling the town spoke to local people about the use of illegal ebikes. We know that their persistent use is causing distress to local people due to the irresponsible and often dangerous way they are being ridden. While on patrol, officers saw one such bike being ridden around a total of four times in the town centre, by an individual wearing a balaclava. We are conducting enquiries to identify this individual and urge anyone with information to get in touch.

Yesterday (Wednesday 6 August) officers spotted two vehicles acting suspiciously. Checks revealed that both vehicles were travelling on cloned plates. One driver was arrested on suspicion of driving without a licence and insurance and handling stolen goods. Another driver was reported for not having the required insurance and given advice about purchasing vehicles from legitimate sellers.

In the coming days, officers are also working with colleagues from West Midlands Police and Warwickshire Police along with the National Police Air Service to target anti-social behaviour and motorbike thefts.

We are grateful to the public for continuing to engage with us on the issues that matter to them and would like to reassure you that your concerns are being heard and action taken as part of our commitment to tackle mistrust, fight crime and protect everyone to increase trust and deliver a greater sense of safety among the public.

We are continuing to ask the public to share their views on policing priorities in their area. To complete the survey, which has so far gathered 450 responses, visit: https://survey.staffordshiresmartalert.co.uk/Survey/GUID/1e9f300d-3bb9-4d71-9346-f0d6e0004dc7