Concerned residents from Bloxwich, Willenhall and Walsall North have written to Eddie about recent crime in the area. Eddie shares their concerns so here's three things he's been doing to fight for local people:
1) Met with the Police Superintendent to raise the concerns of local people and they are taking the concerns seriously;
2) I've also written to the Police minister to ask for more money for West Midlands Police and;
3) I'm impressing the need on the Police and Crime Commissioner that he must ensure that Walsall borough is properly resourced.
As I wrote in my letter to the Police Minister:
"West Midlands Police has seen a 27% reduction in central government funding since 2010 and I strongly believe it is time for this is be reassessed, to ensure the hardworking police in the West Midlands are adequately serving my constituents.
I am therefore joining the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, in his call to urge you to:
1) Allow West Midlands Police to retain any funding generated from the growth in the council tax base in the region - In 2017/18 this would have meant £3.5M in extra funding for the Police.
2) Review the central government grant settlement for West Midlands Police in the light of increasing demand for services and the unique challenges of this metropolitan area.
3) Allow greater flexibility for West Midlands Police to raise their council tax precept to a comparable level to other parts of the country - Even increasing the precept by £10 would leave the West Midlands with the second lowest level in the country. Currently, the West Midlands precept is £116.55 for a Band D property. This should be dedicated to funding frontline policing.
In addition, I would ask you to impress on the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands the need to ensure that the Walsall Borough is fairly and adequately resourced from any future settlement.
I look forward to working with you on this issue going forward to improve the funding and support that the West Midlands Police Force need."
Full letter below.