Top cop hails Streetwatch impact
Sandwell’s top police boss has hailed volunteers who are helping drive crime out of their area through a community initiative.
Residents living in Tamebridge, on the Sandwell-Walsall border, used to have sleepless nights as a result of car crime, burglaries and anti-social behaviour.
But Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, local policing area commander for Sandwell, said they had seen major reductions in such issues since Streetwatch patrols started in earnest around 18 months ago.
The award-winning group carries out regular walks around the estate – sometimes even in the early hours of the morning – to provide reassurance to worried neighbours and provide vital information to the police.
It complements the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme, which was set up months before where people share intel in a WhatsApp group.
Chief Supt Madill joined some members of the Tamebridge Streetwatch group for a walk during Op Advance, a day of action across Sandwell on Wednesday, September 27.
And she hailed the work of lead co-ordinator Sharie Kaur and the rest of the team as a case study to be used to encourage others.
She said: “I’m really grateful to Sharie and the team for setting up Streetwatch.
“It’s prevention of crime but I really love what Streetwatch does and from a policing perspective, we try to get the community together.
“We network people together and they get to know each other and look out for one another.
“When they look out for each other, they share information and things get prevented, police gets called, intelligence gets shared and we can take some action. They are stronger together as a community.
“We’ve seen a drop in anti-social behaviour, burglary, vehicle crime and again, because of the visible presence of the team who walk around it sends a really strong message and makes people think twice about whether they should commit crime in this area.
“It’s a really good social thing as you could be say at home by yourself or out getting to know your neighbours and doing something really good for your community.
“The reputation of Tame Bridge is so strong. This is an award-winning Streetwatch and the passion to do something positive is just shining through.
“They are a case study for other Streetwatches.
"They show true commitment to the community. I’m really grateful and I’m very impressed.”
Sharie Kaur said: “It’s lovely Kim has been able to visit and see the good work Tame Bridge has been doing and it is a credit to the volunteers coming out and showing their presence and being visible.
“Residents have a trust in us and actually stop us to tell us stuff or ask questions about what we are doing. We’ve cultivated those relationships.
“And I encourage more people to get in touch and sign up.
“Also, credit goes to Kim and her neighbourhood team in terms of being persistent with their patrols as residents see a presence of police on the estate and giving a greater sense of security and safety as well as reassurance.
“We’ve been going 18 months and we have got 15 active Streetwatch members. We’re forever growing.”
