'I don't like it if my community is misrepresented'

Elisabeth Fredericks is proud of Willenhall and the community spirit

"I don't like it when my community is misrepresented - it puts a strain on a community that is already struggling."

Elisabeth Fredericks has lived in Willenhall, Coventry, for more than 22 years.

Recently, a story in her local paper said the suburb had the worst rates of petty theft and anti-social behaviour in the city, according to statistics, but people there were trying to make it better.

"To be labelled that way is not good," she said, adding its community spirit was unrivalled and it was not true to say it was a crime hotspot. The BBC has contacted the Coventry Telegraph for comment.

It was this headline that upset Ms Fredericks

Recent figures published by crimerate.co.uk, which collates data from all the UK police forces as well as the Office of National Statistics (ONS), showed Willenhall did not have the highest crime rate or anti-social behaviour rate in Coventry. Rates in St Michaels and Foleshill were higher.

Almost 18,000 people live in the Binley and Willenhall ward, one of the most economically deprived neighbourhoods in the city according to the ONS.

It is mainly residential but its hub has a small convenience store, cafe, charity shops and a health centre, as well as The Hagard Community Space - a great place for people to come together, Ms Fredericks said.

Of course there were problems such as petty crime and anti-social behaviour, she said, but the community spirit was unrivalled.

"I love everything about my community," she said.

"The quirkiness, the imbalance, the fact that young people don't mind talking to the older people like myself - it's just my place.

"Don't be scaring people away from my community - because I'm not happy about that."

Councillor Seyi Agboola said Willenhall was full of "fantastic" people

Councillor Seyi Agboola, who represents the Binley and Willenhall ward, said he had been working with the police and with crime commissioner Simon Foster to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour issues in the area.

"Willenhall is a lovely community, with fantastic people who work together," he said.

"In every area you get crime but to say Willenhall is a crime hotspot is totally not true."

Ms Fredericks acknowledged some work was being done to address the issues but said she wanted politicians and police to meet with the residents on a more regular basis and suggested they hold a weekly clinic at The Hagard.

The Hagard puts on many events for the community of Willenhall

In a statement, West Midlands Police said it was taking a more focused look at neighbourhood issues.

"This has helped us take a much more locally-focused approach to dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour, with regular patrols along with warrants and proactive operations," it said.

All patrols and operations were informed by intelligence from people in the neighbourhoods, it said.

It added: "Our neighbourhood officers in Willenhall regularly meet with businesses, local authority partners and the public to discuss concerns they have around crime and anti-social behaviour."