Plea for action over crime in ‘lawless’ Willenhall

Traders in Willenhall have asked for more support from police following a number of burglaries in recent weeks, including a ram raid at a town centre supermarket and staff being pushed to the floor during a robbery at Poundland.

Councillor Sean Coughlan, who represents Willenhall and is the leader of Walsall Council, has said that 'everyone has concerns' about crime in the the town, while councillor Diane Coughlan says that it is currently 'the worst it has ever been' in terms of crime.

MP Eddie Hughes, West Midlands Police representatives and Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson have been invited to an emergency meeting on December 8 where traders and councillors will urge for more police presence in the town to combat the increase in crime.

Examples of recent crime in the town include an incident at Poundland on New Road on October 9 where three men entered the shop through a fire exit and demanded cash and keys from staff, who were then pushed to the floor.

There were no injuries, but they managed to get away with a quantity of cash.

Then, on October 19, a sliver Ford Mondeo was driven into the Heron Foods shop on Staffords street, before a man entered the store and got away with cash.

Another break in took place at the Keymaster pub on Wolverhampton Road West on October 9, where two people entered the pub through a window and made off with four tills, which turned out to be empty.

A petition has been started by traders asking for more support from the police in the area.

Councillor Sean Coughlan said: "Everyone has concerns about crime in the town at the moment, definitely.

"There have been a number of break ins and I do think we need more police support for businesses in the town.

"It has become lawless in Willenhall and I think that message needs to be put out there."

Last year there were 25 burglaries in just one month in the town, with numerous shops in the town centre targeted during a crime spree that eventually led to 22 year old Andrew Bowering being locked up for three years and eight months.

Councillor Diane Coughlan, who has called for the emergency meeting, said that she believes the town is more dangerous for businesses now than it was then.

She said: "I am hearing about break ins so often, whether that is in person from traders or through social media.

"We need more police, it is as simple as that, I have lived in Willenhall all of my life and I can't remember it ever being this bad."