From West Midlands Police
Officers are acting on problems raised by people living in and around a tower block in Bournville, Birmingham.
Ascot Court in Abdon Avenue has become part of the daily patrols for neighbourhood police trying to crackdown on drugs and anti-social behaviour.
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Reports of youths gathering in stairwells causing anti-social behaviour and criminal damage have been made to us, as well as concerns around drug taking and other criminal activity.
We know this is a long-running problem and we are working to address these issues.
Local neighbourhood officers work closely with Birmingham City Council and have conducted many joint operations that involve visiting residents around anti-social behaviour.
Local housing officers from the council are currently dealing with complaints regarding a few residents within the area outlining their tenancy agreements.
Sergeant Simon Wheeler, based at Bournville Lane Police Station, said: “We have officers working with the council, local schools and youth crime prevention services to steer children and teenagers away from this lifestyle.
“It is very much a multi-agency approach because the police alone can’t solve all the problems.
“Having an awareness around things like knives, gangs and county lines activity that some of the more vulnerable kids could be susceptible to is so important.
“Youth groups, teachers, parents – everyone had a part to play in guiding young people away from a life of crime.”
To avoid the “broken window” theory, where visible signs of crime encourage further offences, officers are working with the council and other partners to stop issues like graffiti.
Officers have also completed letter drops to people living in Bournville and neighbouring Weoley Castle, detailing how to get in touch with the local neighbourhood team.
As well as regular weapon sweeps at the tower block and neighbouring streets, they also host ‘pop Up’ police surgeries for residents to express their concerns and pass on information about people who they believe may be involved in causing constant trouble.
The team can be contacted directly on weoley@westmidlands.police.uk.
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