'It never used to be like this': Fearful Walsall residents speak out after recent violence
"Criminals need to know they aren't welcome here," say residents in a show of defiance in the wake of violence in the borough.
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Dozens of householders attended an open day to discuss their concerns, but some were so fearful of retaliation that they wouldn't even give their names. The public event was organised by a partnership of more than five organisations at Walsall's Stan Ball Centre, on Abbotts Street, Bloxwich.
"I can't believe it has come to this," said one Blakenall local at Tuesday's 'drop-in' session which was called following the deadly shooting of 20-year-old Connor Brookes in nearby Well Lane on July 8. Mr Brookes, of Hunter Crescent, in Harden, died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Representatives from West Midlands Police, Walsall Council, WHG, Neighbourhood Watch and the Bloxwich Community Partnership, set up information desks in the centre, ready to talk to residents about their concerns.
"It's terrifying to live here. You walk down the street and you feel like you have to look over your shoulder. It never used to be like this" said one resident who was visiting the centre, "I don't know what can be done, but someone needs to know what is happening on our street."
Many were visiting the session anonymously, fearful of possible retaliation by those they were raising concerns about, however, one brave local took the chance to talk about their experiences following a shooting on Stephenson Avenue, Beechdale also on July 8.
David Jessops, 43, of Blakenall, said: "It's ridiculous. This area really isn't bad. We shouldn't need to be doing this but here we are. The shooting on Stephenson Avenue was the same day as the one on Well Lane. What's happening?
"I had to come here and say what I saw. If we don't tell the police and the council, the groups that are trying to help, then it will just happen again and a lot of people in this area are sick of it."
Tyler Williams, 40, of Leamore, said: "It's horrible that it happened. It's terrible. The fact that as a community we were making huge strides to better the area, and then in one day we are back to square one.
