Yesterday evening I attended the Lakey Lane Police Tasking meeting. PCSO’s Hayley Tierney and Chelsie Beardmore attended on behalf of our local police team and briefed us on the latest month’s crime figures. There were:

* 9 burglaries from dwellings in Acocks Green – a fall of 4 on last month
* 13 thefts from motor vehicles (many of which were theft of number plates) – 7 down on last month
* 6 theft of motor vehicle (all following the theft of the keys) – 4 up on last month
* 4 robberies (3 phones and 1 chain) – unchanged on last month.

These figures maintain Acocks Green’s status as a relatively low crime area, compared to other parts of the West Midlands. As a rough calculation, 9 burglaries a month means that, based on there being around 11,000 homes in Acocks Green, a typical home suffers a burglary once in every 100 years or so.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of closing the public right of way which runs from Stonehaven Grove to Lakey Lane. The residents of Stonehaven Grove are keen for this because the alleyway suffers from high levels of Anti Social Behaviour (ASB). In part this is due to the dogleg in the alleyway which means there is no clear line of sight down it. Closing a public right requires a formal public consultation (to which all residents who use the alleyway can comment) over a 28 day period. Cllr O’Shea agreed to see if this can be done.

A related concern was a group of youths allegedly responsible for ASB in the alleyway as well as in Lakefield Close and the School Road junction with Lulworth Road. The area is being monitored by the police but if you see any activity in the area which concerns you, do let them know. Their contact details are here

The next meeting of the Lakey Lane Tasking meeting will be on Wednesday 4th September at 7pm.

Meanwhile Stechford Police Station has their open day on 27th July this year. It will run from 10am to 2pm and will include handcuffing and fingerprinting, a fire service demonstration and a raffle amongst many activities.