Your local team
Hi, I’m Inspector Pete Poolton and I cover the areas of St Matthew's including Walsall town centre, Caldmore, Pleck, Paddock, Palfrey, Willenhall & Darlaston.
I have been within the police service for nearly 26 years and relatively new to my neighbourhood role. I am a local lad who wanted to be a police officer since the age of six. I carried out work experience whilst at high school with WMP. My passion for policing job hasn’t wavered, nor has my commitment to taking local policing back to what I know communities want in trusted relationships with your officers where we work together to resolve community priorities.
Since joining the Police in 1998 I have worked most of my years in front line roles whether that be as a Police Constable walking the beat of Tipton day and night or leading a 999-response unit as a Sergeant in Walsall.
I have worked in proactive teams, multi-agency settings and led the evolvement of offender management. Prior to being promoted to Inspector I set up what is now a running multi-agency exploitation hub in Walsall focusing on early intervention to those young people most at risk of harm.
In my current role I am responsible for five local policing teams comprising of both PC’s and PCSO’s. I have six Sgts that manage these teams and a deputy coordinator. As part of my role I will also conduct regular duties as 999 response cover.
I am also the chair of a newly formed multi-agency tasking group that brings key partners together to tackle the issues raised by our communities in a collaborative way. I have real hopes for the coming year that this group can really bear fruit for local people.
Having been in role for 12 months it has been great to see crime falling for my neighbourhoods but I feel that the fear of crime has not fallen with it and this is a priority for me.
Through consistent engagement with my community and by working directly with them, and partners, I know this can change and is my personal objective for the next 12 months.
I know that we have so much to do and so many things that could be better, we are by no means in a position I would like to be with crime and each and every incident is one too many.
My policing teams will be holding regular community/councilor meetings and it is there that we will listen and agree ways in which we can help resolve the concerns raised to us.
Crimes and priorities
-
Priority:
Action taken:
-
Priority:
Pact Meeting Priority:
Drug dealing on Walsall Road to Westborne AvenueAction taken:
June update
Our patrols have continued over the last few weeks. We are plesased to let you know that we have not encountered or aware of any further suspicious activity taking place. We will continue to monitor for the time being.July update
We are pleased to report that following continued patrols around Salisbury Street and Westbourne Ave we have not encountered any further issues. We will however continue to monitor and this area will be included in our patrol plans. -
Priority:
PACT Meeting Priority:
Street robberies in and around George Rose ParkAction taken:
May update
We have carried out a number of patrols and engagement activities in this area incluidng handing out crime prevention advice. We are in regular contact with the committe and community members at the hub and have attended meetings to discuss how to make the area safer for people to enjoy. This will remain a priority for the team.June update
Several patrols have been conducted by the team in and around the park area over the last few weeks. Our officers have also attended meetings George Rose Park Hub. We are please to say that no further issues have been raised and we are not aware of any recent reports. We will continue with our patrols and will be regularly attending the area to ensure we speak to local people and keep you all updated.July update - You Said, We Did
We have continued with our patrols in and around George Rose Park over the last few weeks and pleased to update that our officers have not encountered any further issues. We have also been in contact with staff at the hub who also confirm they were not aware of any further incidents. -
Priority:
PACT Meeting Priority:
Drinking, alcohol related issues and rough sleeping in Darlaston High StreetAction taken:
May update
We have carried our numerous patrols in the High Street and this remains a priority for us. We have carried out community engagements and arer listening to communigty concerns regarding the issues being caused. We are currently looking at a number of options including civil powers. We have noticed a reduction in incidents and will continue to monitor.June update
Our patrols have continued over the last few weeks, especially in the area of King Street, Darlaston where we are carrying out patrols daily. We are not aware of any current issues and have also engaged with members of the public in the area who have noted a decrease in the noise nuisance in the area. We are also pleased to say there is currently no indication of anyone sleeping rough. Our patrols will continue and we will monitor.July update
We have been speaking to local organisations in the area who are telling us that there are no issues during the day, but there is still an issue with rough sleeping near the library which we are aware of. We will continue to carry out patrols and will take positive action where necessary which includes referrals to partner agencies for further support.