Unfortunately, Knife Crime in the past week has reared it's head again in the Newtown/Lozells area of the City. There have been at least 4 reported stabbings in the past week and it is rumoured even more than that.
West Midlands Police this week used Section 60 Power in order to tackle this ongoing spike which has been exacerbated by increased gang activity in the locality.
Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is Powers to stop and search in anticipation of [F1 , or after] violence. quotes "that incidents involving serious violence may take place in any locality in his police area, and that it is expedient to give an authorisation under this section to prevent their occurrence,"
This is more commonly known as blanket stop n search in concentrated area where there has been or expected to be the violence and empowers the Police to stop n search individuals. Clearly this was needed and there were instances that it is carried out respectfully.
I am aware that arrests have been made, following the section 60 operations and weapons seized.
Following 4 community meetings in Newtown there was a common consensus that people don't feel safe within the community and highlighted the need for more to be done to tackle these issues. Whilst doing the work that I do towards this; it is clear that despite a strategy that was developed over 2 years ago, which would have been effective and was sadly shelved owing to the lack of cooperation from the Police and Crime Commissioner's Office who unfortunately, has only fuelled the concerns of his predecessor Bob Jones of bringing Politics into policing; there has been no progress made in Newtown in term of dealing with knife and gun crime and the wider concerns of community safety.
Furthermore, residents have already raised their concerns to me regarding the later and brighter evening when it is anticipated that there will be an increase in this type of activity within the locality.
The joined up approach that I have been talking about for over 3 years need to be adopted where everyone plays their part in order to make Newtown safer for everyone, if not where will it end.
It is time for change as the 3 Local Councillors have let Newtown down, they do not represent the area and they do not really know what is impacting upon the daily lives of the residents in the area.
The residents deserve better representation and their voices need to be heard, in order that they may get back their streets and currently, who really owns and controls our streets.
Quite happy to work with people who want change and have a safer community; for all. It's also time to hold the local politicians who have not been representing the people of Newtown to account, by replacing them with people who care and will not only voice, but, bring about the desperate changes needed to improve of the quality of life for all residents.
Do get in touch.
Desmond Jaddoo
11th March 2018