CALLS for a crackdown on those responsible for a rise in crime in Pershore have been made after politicians stepped in to tackle the problem.
Both the town’s Conservative MP Harriett Baldwin and Pershore district and county councillor Dan Boatright have weighed in after a surge in incidents in the town in recent months.
Among the allegations were a teenager who was chased by two men wearing balaclavas around a town housing estate.
Coun Boatright, who is also standing as the Liberal Democrats parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire, slammed the rise in crime which he alleged was ‘going through the roof’.
“My next-door neighbours van was broken into, a resident in a nearby village was assaulted while walking, a 13-year-old lad was chased through a housing estate by two men in balaclavas holding blades and we have had armed police called to a scene in Pershore for the first time in my memory,” he said.
“We have burglaries being reported continually, levels of vandalism and theft people have not seen in our area before, and anti-social behaviour levels which are becoming threatening to residents.
“My inbox is full of people crying out for help, wanting the police to do more. Meanwhile the police are overwhelmed by the amount of crime they now face.
“Do I blame the police? No. They’re trying to do their job under difficult circumstances, with fewer resources than ever before and a system which seems to ignore any changes we see on the ground,” he added.
Town MP Harriett Baldwin has called for urgent action to review police cover after a reported spike in anti-social behaviour in Pershore.
She met with the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, together with the Chief Constable Pippa Mills, to discuss reports of increasing criminality in the town and also met the local policing team.
The MP called for extra police patrols and to ensure the team has the right resources to deal with the sudden spike of crime in the town.
“I was troubled by reports of rising low-level crime as well as more serious incidents and having investigated this in detail it is clear to me that the Pershore policing team needs a boost,” she said.
“People need to see visible policing and I have asked John Campion to give this matter his urgent consideration.
“I have been briefed on some of the issues but the message is clear that people want to see police on the streets and want confidence that local police will be able to attend when there are incidents.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “Following reports, we have taken action and are prioritising patrols and engagement in areas where we are aware incidents are occurring.
“We are also engaging with other local agencies and our Harm Reduction Unit who can issue ASB letters, Community Protection Warning Notices and Criminal Behaviour Orders.”
