Walsall police boss confirms 'strong presence' of officers in town centre following Bailey Atkinson’s tragic death

A 15-year-old along with two 16-year-olds, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday charged with the murder of Mr Atkinson, who lived in Bloxwich.

No pleas were taken at the brief hearing before Judge Michael Chambers KC. The defendants, who appeared via video, spoke only to confirm their names.

The case was adjourned for a plea and directions hearing on March 30. The defendants, who cannot be named due to their ages, were all remanded in local authority care.

Meanwhile a Walsall police boss has reassured residents that there is a 'strong presence' of officers in the town centre following concerns raised in the wake of Mr Atkinson’s death.

He was stabbed multiple times in High Street near Asda on January 28. He later died of his injuries in hospital.

Following the tragedy, residents raised concerns about the level of crime in the town, claiming there was a lack of police presence in the town centre.

In response to claims that crime had risen after Green Lane police station shut in 2016, a Walsall policing commander said "our strong presence in the town centre always continued with four police teams situated right at the heart of the town, working out of Walsall Council’s Civic Centre".

Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, Walsall police commander, said they had police vehicles to support the police constables and police community support officers who are permanently stationed there.

He also said there were additional officers in the St Matthews ward, which covers the town centre and Caldmore, to ensure that on early and late shifts there are always officers on duty and patrolling there.

Chief Superintendent Dolby said: “We will continue to work with our partners and the public moving forward to make our streets safe and reduce the fear of crime.

“There are also lots of ways in which the public can get involved in helping to make the community safer too."

He said the St Matthews neighbourhood policing team had conducted 676 stop and searches in the last year, leading to 60 arrests.

While overall, officers from the team had made 156 arrests in the last year.

Since the death of Mr Atkinson, he said patrols had been stepped up and there had been meetings with businesses, pubs and clubs, schools and residents.

Chief Superintendent Dolby added: “We have excellent members of the public who work with us across the Walsall borough who patrol with us under the StreetWatch scheme, who do speed detection work with us on our SpeedWatch scheme and who help to look after their communities through Neighbourhood Watch.

“Some volunteer as special constables, who lead local cadet units and more besides.

"If you want to get involved, go on our website and please get in touch.

"We also give funding using money taken from criminals and turn that back in to projects run by local police aimed at making the communities safer, along with our local partners. If we work together we can make our communities a safer place to live for everyone.”