Re-Assurance from Lozells & East Handsworth Neighbourhood Policing Team

Following a number of concerned residents contacting me to raise issues of community safety including robberies, burglaries, ASB, etc, I had an extensive briefing from the Lozells & East Handsworth Neighbourhood Policing Team.

I am assured that they are trying their best to build the trust and confidence of the local community and to make our area safer for all to live, work and socialise in.

Furthermore, they are leading two activities in the next few days that all residents should be aware of:

• Tuesday 21^st June 2011 – On Lozells Road and surrounding roads the team will lead an operation along with the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, Trading Standards, UK Border Agency, Environmental Services and Fire Service. This action day is being organised to re-assure the community and carry out necessary actions in light of the increase in robbery and vehicle crime in the local area.
• Wednesday 22^nd June 2011 [6.30pm] at the Lozells Methodist Church on Lozells Street – The Neighbourhood Policing Team are hosting their monthly neighbourhood police meeting. Please attend this meeting to highlight any concerns that you may have regarding any issue of community safety that you want the police to be aware of.

Just to keep you informed, the neighbourhood police team informed me of a number of success stories in the patch as part of the briefing. These include the facts that they have executed over 100 warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act and Dangerous Dog Act Warrants, recovered over £25,000 worth of Class A and Class B drugs under POCA, 6 dangerous dogs seized, 5 crack house closures obtained, £15,000 in crime prevention material obtained, extended dispersal area to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour and many other such actions.

I am, however, concerned that the Police cuts and general cuts to front-line services implemented by this Government and Local Authority will have a long-term negative impact on our community. I am working with the officers who care passionately about our area to ensure, on the limited resrouces that they do have, we can continue to see Lozells, Birchfield and Handsworth strive to improve.