Hello to all residents, Neighbourhood Sergeant PS Prejbeanu and the team would like to update with a round up of some of the activity we have carried out this past month. Op Sceptre Week – Intensified Efforts Against Knife Crime During Op Sceptre week, officers from the Aldridge Neighbourhood Policing Team have prioritised tackling knife crime across the local area. Plain clothes operations have been a key element of this initiative. Deploying officers in plain clothes has enabled more proactive and targeted patrols in hotspots, allowing them to blend into the community environment, gather intelligence more effectively, and respond swiftly to suspicious activity without drawing attention. These covert operations have complemented high-visibility policing, increasing the chances of detecting individuals carrying knives or involved in related offences. As part of these efforts, knife sweeps were carried out at Oak Park in direct response to recent anti-social behaviour (ASB) issues in the park. During a stop and search linked to the plain clothes operations, officers seized drugs and swiftly dealt with the individual. Arrest of Prolific Offender In a separate but significant result, a known prolific offender has been arrested and charged with ten counts of shop theft. This individual has been a persistent concern for local businesses in the Aldridge areas, with repeated incidents causing financial losses and disruption to retailers. The arrest highlights the team’s ongoing commitment to targeting repeat offenders who cause the most harm to the community. The offender remains in custody as the case progresses through the criminal justice system. Community Engagement Officers have maintained a strong focus on community reassurance and prevention. They have spoken directly with young people in the area, visited local schools to engage with pupils and staff, and called at care homes to discuss safety concerns with residents. Drop-in surgeries were held at Oak Park and Aldridge Community Centre and Streetly Library providing residents with the opportunity to meet officers face-to-face, report issues, and receive crime prevention advice. Supporting Residents and Tackling Vehicle Crime Dedicated vehicle crime patrols have been increased in vulnerable locations. As part of this work, Faraday pouches have been distributed to members of the community to help protect against keyless vehicle thefts. Officers have also supported several vulnerable adults by conducting home security assessments and offering practical measures to enhance the safety of their properties. Partnership Working Multi-agency meetings have taken place with partner organisations to coordinate a robust response to ongoing Antisocial behaviour issues in the area. This includes the locations of Collingwood drive in Pheasey and the Oak Park area of Walsall Wood. We are working with partners to drive down incidents of ASB. The Neighbourhood Policing Team continues to patrol our neighbourhood ward areas, working to deter knife crime, reduce ASB, and address the concerns of local residents. Anyone with information about knife crime, drug dealing or anti-social behaviour is asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999. … A small reminder that our team has a X (Twitter) account where you can see updates of what we get up to - @AldridgeWMP Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Stay safe and take care, Sgt Jo Prejbeanu Aldridge Neighbourhood Team | 
