Sir Gavin Williamson held a meeting with local stakeholders and Staffordshire Police Chief Inspector Chris Cotton to allow residents and businesses to raise concerns.
Featherstone residents, members of the Parish Council and local businesses were given the chance to air their concerns to the Chief Inspector. Though the crime rate in Featherstone has fallen by 24%, Sir Gavin recognised that this statistic was not reflected in lived experience and has welcomed the Chief Inspector’s commitment to increase the force’s engagement with the local community.
Among the issues discussed, residents reiterated their concerns regarding 101 waiting times. Having recently visited the call control room, where he was given a presentation on call times, Sir Gavin reassured participants that this was an issue he would continue to raise with Staffordshire Police.
Sir Gavin said: “I am keenly aware of the concerns that residents have had in Featherstone regarding ASB, theft, drug taking, and other criminal activity. I welcomed how Inspector Cotton was able to reassure residents, but also discuss operational matters around some of these reports. This community engagement is essential to local policing, and I look forward to similar such meetings in the future.”
