Nicola Richards, Conservative MP for West Bromwich East, has reflected the concerns of local people about the number of violent incidents and anti-social behaviour occurring in the centre of West Bromwich. Recent events have ranged from setting off fireworks in the High Street endangering passers-by to a mass brawl in which weapons including machetes were brandished.
Ms. Richards, who was brought up in the area and lives locally, closely monitors what is happening on her patch and has acted decisively. She has written an open letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner requiring a greater police presence in the area. In parliament she has raised the issue with the Policing Minister and gained his support for her campaign. Locally, she has met with council representatives and other interested bodies to remedy the problem.
West Bromwich folk have seen nothing like her energy on their behalf for years. Her unlamented predecessor’s contacts with the town were as rare as snow in hades. His intervention in issues of crime was notoriously, under the shield of parliamentary privilege, to make reckless, and later shown to be entirely baseless, allegations of paedophilia against a dying man.
More power to your elbow Ms Richards.