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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
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Priority:
Action taken:
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Priority:
Community agreed Priority:
Drug related activity taking place at New Hall Street, Lister Street, Stafford Street Walkway, Bell Alley Villers Street, and Stroud Avenue.Action taken:
March 2026 Update
The team have carried joint patrols in the area along with Walsall Council Enforcement Officers, this includes walkways from Orchard Close, Wakes Close and St Giles Church. We are working with Walsall Council to see if CCTV is an option and will update here soon. Patrols will continue and we are monitoring.April 2026 Update:
Whilst officers were out on patrol they came across a potential drug deal, one male made off on a bike the other male was stop searched, he was found with a considerable amount of money. No drugs were found. Officers will continue to patrol hotspot areas. -
Priority:
Community agreed Priority: issues with off road bikes around Willenhall Greenway, Stringes Lane, Willenhall Memorial Park.
Action taken:
January Update:
No further reports regarding issues with off road bikes. Willenhall Officers will continue to monitor and gather information for our next off road bike operation.March 2026 Update
Patrols have been taking place around the areas Stringes Lane and Willenhall Memorial Park and we have not had any further reports of off road bikes. Patrols will continue for now and we are monitoring.April 2026 Update:
Willenhall Neighbourhood Team have worked alongside Walsall Housing Group (WHG) and have a order served on a property. Order of possession of property suspended for 2 years. The address was reported for off road bikes. We are currently planning a traffic operation with our our Roads Policing Team which will be in the near future with a focus on the hotspot areas. -
Priority:
Community Agreed Priority: Feb 2026
Speeding on Lucknow Road & Pooles LaneAction taken:
Feb 2026 Update
Residents have asked for increased Police Patrols around Lucknow Road and Pooles Lane. Police will now monitor and take positive action when necessary. The team will engage with the community to host Speed Watch around these areas.March
The team have carried out a number of patrols in the areas and have not observed any vehicle driving at excessive speed. We have noted that that there are speed reducing measures on Lucknow Road. Pooles Lane was closed for a few days but again no speeding witnessed whilst on patrol. We will continue to monitor.April 2026 Update:
Residents have asked for increased Police Patrols around Lucknow Road and Pooles Lane. Police will now monitor and take positive action when necessary. The team will engage with the community to host Speed Watch around these areas.