Anti-social behaviour on the rise in Walsall

There were 6,480 reports between November 2013 and October 2014 - compared to 5,929 in the previous 12 months.

The rise of almost 10 per cent is revealed in a report from the Safer Walsall Partnership which has produced a three year crackdown plan in a bid to cut crime.

The biggest rise was in Brownhills, Pelsall, Rushall and Shelfield, with numbers increasing from 563 to 700 during the year-long period.

However, there was an improvement in Willenhall and Short Heath where the number of reports dropped from 942 to 873.

In Aldridge, Streetly, Pheasey and Walsall Wood there were 627 incidents from November 2012 to October 2013 with 699 in the following 12 months.

In North Walsall there was a rise of 123 to 1,716 and Walsall South to 1,772 from 1,546.

In the report to chairman Khizar Hussain, it says: "There were 6,480 anti-social behaviour incidents recorded by the police within the borough between November 1, 2013, and October 31, compared to 5,929 incidents during the same period during the previous year reflecting a 9.3 per cent increase in offences.

"Notably however this follows a 57 per cent reduction in average incidents per month between 2010 and 2013.

"Police anti-social behaviour incidents are classified under three headings: nuisance, personal and environmental.

"Analysis of incidents over the last year shows that 70 per cent were classified as nuisance, followed by 25 per cent as personal and five per cent environmental.

"Police recorded anti-social behaviour incidents make up approximately only 42 per cent of all anti-social behaviour across the borough with over half of incidents being recorded by various agencies other than the police."

Police class anti-social behaviour under the headings of nuisance, personal and environmental issues.

Issues in the borough have included congregation of youths, mini motorbikes and playing football in the street.

The Safer Walsall Partnership consists of bodies such as council police, fire and health representatives.

Reducing the harm caused by anti-social behaviour has been highlighted as a focus for the partnership.

It comes after figures recently showed more than 4,000 firms in Walsall fell victim to crime in the same 12 months - a rise on the previous two years,

Council bosses say a surge in shop thefts last spring was to blame for the overall increase in recorded crime.