Calls for more police in town centre

According to councillor Maureen Freeman and resident Gordon Taylor, 80, of Westbourne Avenue, groups of youngsters are intimidating shoppers in the centre, with calls made to increase police patrols in the area.

Councillor Freeman said that she wants to see targeted police patrols in the area, while Mr Taylor spoke to the Express & Star of his fears that the cyclists could hurt somebody.

Councillor Freeman said: "I have been aware of these issues with cyclists in the town centre for a number of weeks and while I have asked for it to be looked into, nothing has been done yet.

"It is understandable that residents would be concerned, they are going round at high speeds and if they are moving towards an elderly person, it would be difficult for them to move out of the way.

"I really hope it isn't the case but somebody could be hurt.

"As much as I don't like to say it, from experience this kind of thing will only get worse over the summer holidays.

"It would be nice to just see a little bit of a police presence in the town centre to reassure the community and maybe catch some of the culprits in the act."

Mr Taylor said that he felt it was 'only a matter of time' before somebody was hurt.

He said: "Something needs to be done, they are intimidating to elderly people and I feel it is only a matter of time before somebody is hurt.

"It is aggressive and in your face, so they know what they are doing.

"I would like to see a bit more of a police presence in the town centre but you rarely see an officer at all."

According to councillor Freeman, motorists driving through the pedestrianised area by Church Street is also an issue at the moment.

She said: "Again, it comes back to the issue of needing some sort of police presence in the town.

"People are not taking notice of the pedestrianised system, which is put in place for a reason, so we have cars going where they really shouldn't be.

"A similar thing has been happening in Stafford in recent months but they have seen a targeted police response and that is solving the problem."