‘Reprisals threat’ for shop keepers who report crime
COUNCILLORS SAY DRUG DEALERS AND CRIMINALS ISSUING CHILLING WARNINGS
They’ve had enough and want to see the police really crackdown on these drug dealers and their hangers on. Cllr Naeem Akhtar
DRUG dealers and other criminals are leaving residents and business owners scared in one part of Coventry.
Shops owners in Hillfields have been “threatened with reprisals” if they report crimes to police, according to the three councillors who cover the St Michael’s ward.
Cllrs Jim O’Boyle, Naeem Akhtar and David Welsh are calling on police to crackdown on those dealing drugs in the area and the “associated menace this activity brings to Hillfields”. They says “it is obvious that drug activity has increased recently, bringing danger and fear to the city”.
Their calls come on the back of an upsurge in violent crime in Coventry that has seen a number of stabbings and shootings in September alone.
These led to police revealing that a “dedicated gangs team” has been set up to tackle street gangs in the city.
Cllr Akhtar said: “I have had calls from residents and businesses worried about the impact this dangerous activity is having in the area. Residents are scared and businesses have been threatened with reprisals if they report illegal activity. They’ve had enough and want to see the police really crackdown on these drug dealers and their hangers on.”
Cllr O’Boyle added: ““It is obvious that drug activity has increased recently bringing danger and fear to the city. “We call on West Midlands Police to prioritise our area to help locals go about their business free from crime and fear.”
The three councillors have also written to the Home Secretary “calling on him to fund our police properly”, with Cllr Welsh saying: “The police have had massive cuts to deal with in recent years meaning there are now 2,000 less officers in the West Midlands. We need the government to act by giving the Chief Constable and Commissioner the money they need to get more police officers where it is needed. It is clear criminals know the police are stretched and take advantage of it, leaving residents vulnerable.”
Inspector Lesley Meade said: “We actively target our patrols in areas where people tell us they are experiencing problems and we work with partner agencies to help people break the cycle of drug dependency and associated criminality.
“We also work with housing providers to obtain and help enforce civil injunctions.
“We disperse drug users and target dealers to bring them to justice in known areas.”
Supt Phil Healy, from Coventry Police, added: “Let me reassure you that behind the scenes we have highly-skilled detectives working to investigate the recent violent crimes, following up leads, identifying suspects and taking the necessary action. We also have a dedicated gangs team that work hard to identify, arrest and convict those affiliated to gangs.”