Police step up patrols in city crime 'hotspots'

Police in Wolverhampton are stepping up efforts to keep the city centre and shopping areas safe, with visible patrols and enforcement activity in "hotspot areas".

West Midlands Police said officers in the city centre had arrested six people in the last week for offences including vehicle theft and burglary, as well as more than 25 shop thefts.

One man, who was wanted on recall to prison, was charged in connection with 18 shop thefts, after £2,000 of items including clothes and food were stolen.

Three other men were detained after items were stolen from shops and parcels taken from a communal area of flats, the force said, with a further man and a woman arrested following vehicle theft.

A force spokesperson said it was working with partners to make the city centre and shopping spaces as "safe and welcoming as possible, for everyone".

"There will be visible reassurance patrols and enforcement activity in hotspot areas, and local officers are on hand as ever to listen to any concerns you may have," they said.

Under plans from Wolverhampton City Council, a team of nine enforcement officers could also be introduced in the city in the future, as part of efforts to crack down on anti-social behaviour,

The Community Safety Enforcement Officers would be a "consistent presence on local high streets" and enforce Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO), the council said.

Working alongside police, the team would engage with people and as a last resort, take action against those responsible.

With people expected to spend more time in the city centre and retail areas in the lead up to Christmas, West Midlands Police has previously issued personal safety advice to help people protect themselves from crime, including personal robbery, harassment and violent situations.

Officers have urged people to look out for potential pickpockets and to avoid losing their belongings, sharing the following tips:

• Keep purses and bags closed and secure at all times and carry bags in front of you or diagonally across your chest.
• Conceal your wallet in a buttoned or zipped pocket.
• Keep a list, separate to your wallet and phone, of contact numbers in case your phone is stolen.
• Keep a photocopy of your passport, credit cards and any other documents difficult or impossible to replace if stolen.

The force also advised people not to hang belongings on the back of a chair or the back of a pushchair, and suggested belongings should not be placed out of sight on the floor.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.