Over the past few weeks I have been contacted by local residents with regards to reports of a number of separate incidents of violent crime and anti-social behaviour across Solihull borough.
Crime has no place on our streets and it is unacceptable that anyone should live in fear of being a victim of crime. Nevertheless, I am mindful that there have been some recent incidents in the Meriden constituency which have caused much concern and distress.
The impact of any crime is no less severely felt in rural areas than it is in urban communities.
For that reason, I would like to reassure local people that I am in regular contact with our local police teams, as well as our Police Borough Commander and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council ward councillors, to ensure that the police have the resources and support they need to deal with the different types of crime which they are confronted with every day.
Whilst the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners in 2012 ensured that local people had a directly elected and publically accountable voice at the very top of our region’s police service, I am pleased that the Government remains committed to supporting our police officers to ensure that work is carried out in every neighbourhood to both prevent and tackle different types of crime.
It is for that reason that the national policing budget was protected throughout austerity, thus enabling forces to continue to adapt to emerging crime threats whilst also working to improve efficiency.
Furthermore, in recent months new funding has also been made available to the police to tackle cyber-crime and deal with the threat posed by terrorism.
However in recognising the level of local concern, I would like to reassure residents as the MP for the Meriden constituency that I will endeavour to work more closely with our police service and provide regular updates through my local news column, as well as on my website and on social media.
Separately, if you have any concerns about crimes you have witnessed or if you have fallen victim to a crime, please contact the police on 101 to report this. In an emergency, always dial 999.
Dame Caroline Spelman MP
