'12-year-olds dealing drugs' as MP and police bosses set to hear residents concerns

A meeting is being held in Wood End on Tuesday



A Coventry MP will be joined by the Police and Crime Commissioner for a public meeting with residents of one of Coventry 's most troubled areas. Mary Creagh, CBE MP for Coventry East, is running the event at Moat House Community and Leisure Centre in Wood End today (29 July) from 10am.

Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, will also be there, as will Wasim Ali, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.

A letter issued to residents by Ms Creagh last week invited residents to attend the free event and raise concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour and offer ways the issues can be tackled. The event is free.

Cllr Ed Ruane for the Henley Ward has listed what he believes the key issues locals are most concerned about.

He said: "12-year-old children openly drug dealing from Wood End shops, between 4pm to 9pm has become the social norm and unchallenged by all agencies.

"Off road bikes, Police and Govt are making a big thing about reducing the amount of holding time before crushing a bike, but West Midlands Police (WPM) still refuse to tactically engage and pursue the bikes, while other Police forces do, such as the MET.

"A significant increase in arson attacks over recent months.

"WMP are trying to make a big thing in the 'latest reduction' in crime figures, which is not plausible, as our local neighbourhood Policing team for Henley was halved in numbers since 2010 and now covers Henley and Longford.

"WMP still has the highest rate of knife crime, higher than London, which is the clearest indicator of high number of criminal gangs in operation. How can crime be reducing when Coventry now has the largest number of criminal gangs operating in the city its ever had?"