Call for more police on beat to tackle violence in Wolverhampton
More police officers are needed on the streets of Wolverhampton following two stabbings in the space of a month, a senior councillor has claimed.
Milkinder Jaspal said he believed a lack of local policing could lead to more violent crime in the city.
A man was left seriously injured in a suspected machete attack on Tuesday, just weeks after 15-year-old Keelan Wilson was stabbed to death in Merry Hill.
Councillor Jaspal, a former council cabinet member and police forum chair, said he was concerned crucial relationships between local officers and the public were being eroded.
He said: "I'm really concerned about the lack of police officers on foot patrol.
"Police officers have been moved to their cars and I'm really concerned the number of cuts to police jobs has had a major impact and I think it's the wrong approach.
"If we are going to resolve the problem of knives we have got to have police officers back on foot patrol in local areas."
Emergency services were called to Tremont Street, Heath Town, on Tuesday afternoon after a man was knifed in what is believed to have been a targeted attack.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the murder of schoolboy Keelan Wilson, who was stabbed to death just yards from his home on Strathfield Walk in May.
Councillor Jaspal said he believed the link between the police and public was being lost.
He said: "I'm really concerned we are reacting. For the second time in the last month we had armed police officers patrolling the streets after the event. What's the point? After the event is too late in my opinion.
"Local officers are so important. People talk to them, pass on information and have a relationship.
"We have these silly area forum meetings which are attended by six people and that is not the way to resolve crime. We need them walking around on foot and developing that relationship and link with the community."
