Kingswinford, Wall Heath and Pensnett

Continued increase in recorded shop theft offences across local retail premises. These are recorded acquisitive crimes resulting in financial loss to businesses and impacting staff confidence. The pattern reflects repeat offending at specific locations rather than isolated incidents.

This issue is identified and owned within the neighbourhood policing area, impacting multiple retail locations across the wider footprint. Whilst offending linked to the Merry Hill retail site forms part of the overall picture, it does not represent the entirety of the problem, which spans beyond a single location and requires a coordinated neighbourhood led response.

The neighbourhood team is leading on this priority, driving a coordinated problem solving approach across all affected retail locations. This includes targeted patrols, retailer engagement, evidence gathering and the identification and management of repeat offenders.

Activity within the Merry Hill retail site is being incorporated into this wider response; however, oversight, direction and ownership of this priority remains with the neighbourhood team to ensure consistency, accountability and effective delivery.

Resources are being directed based on demand and emerging intelligence, with ongoing review to disrupt offending, reduce harm and support the retail community.

Residents in Kingswinford and Pensnett have raised ongoing concerns regarding the use of off road bikes and nuisance. This is a continued concern for local residents. Issue reported include dangerous riding, excessive noise, damage to grassed areas.

Neighbourhood officers are carrying out targeted patrols and are working with the council ASB team to proactively work to identify riders involved, gather intelligence and take enforcement action where offences are identified. We are also working with partner agencies to explore long term problem solving opportunities aimed at reducing ongoing nuisance.

Reports of anti-social behaviour and youth related disorder at King George Park, Kingswinford remain a local priority. Concerns raised by residents include groups gathering within the park causing nuisance, intimation, littering, suspected drug use.

Neighbourhood officers are carrying out increased patrols in the area, engaging with young people, gathering intelligence and working alongside partner agencies to identify those responsible and prevent ongoing issues. We are continuing to liaise with Dudley Council, local schools and communities to address concerns and provide reassurance to residents using the park.
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting incidents to police, as community information assists us in identifying patterns, directing patrols and taking positive action where appropriate.

Merry Hill Shopping Centre continues to be a policing priority for Sgt Lilley who is also responsible for the Merry Hill team. There are reports of thefts which affect the retailers, staff and visitors to the centre.

Officers are working closely with centre management, store security teams to carry out high visibility patrols, identify prolific offenders and support ongoing enforcement activity within the shopping centre. The team remains committed to tackling offences that impact businesses and the wider community, wile proving reassurance to those who work in and visit the area.