Councillors to discuss crime and safety strategy

The draft strategy will be presented to City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet on Wednesday

A new strategy to prevent and tackle crime and promote community safety in Wolverhampton over the next four years will be discussed by councillors later.

The Safer Wolverhampton Partnership Strategy sets out plans to create "safer, healthier communities where people feel empowered and protected", City of Wolverhampton Council said.

It focuses on five themes: Violence, anti-social behaviour, safety of women and girls, alcohol and substance-related crime, and neighbourhood crime.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, cabinet member for health, wellbeing and community, said the issues required an integrated response aligned with West Midlands Police's crime plan.

The five priorities involve using intelligence to identify hot spot areas, expanding prevention measures and pursuing "robust enforcement where necessary".

Public spaces should be improved enabling the safety of women and girls, young people should be educated on healthy behaviours and also a focus on disrupting drug supply chains.

Neighbourhood crime would be addressed through community vigilance, education, and co-ordinated policing, the council said.

The strategy will be monitored and refreshed each year to adapt to any new crime trends and local challenges.

The authority said reported crime had fallen by 9.5% in the past year with declines in serious youth violence, domestic abuse, theft, robbery and burglary, anti-social behaviour and adult reoffending rates.

'Proud of achievements'

There had also been significant work to prevent serious youth violence by investing in programmes in schools and the community.

A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the city centre last summer contributed to about a 16% reduction in recorded crime within the perimeter, including a 50% drop in the number of robberies, the council added.

"Preventing and tackling crime and promoting community safety are very complex and require an integrated partnership response," Ahmed said.

"Working alongside the West Midlands Police and Crime Plan, this strategy sets out our plans for the next four years – to ensure residents feel safe and can live healthy lives in their community.

"We're proud of the partnership's achievements over the last few years and remain fully committed to early intervention, community empowerment, and collective responsibility."

The draft strategy will be presented to members of the council's cabinet on Wednesday.