We're still the victims

From the archive, first published Thursday 20th Nov 2003.

Furious residents on an Amblecote estate say burglars are still plundering their homes at will despite police claims break-ins are falling.

Victims living on the Penfields Estate have hit back at promises burglars are being beaten as their homes continue to be targeted on a regular basis.

Chief Supt Nick Dickerson revealed burglaries were down borough-wide at an area committee meeting recently.

But Philip Totney, of Ankadine Road, was among those who were shocked to hear the news after his house was broken into for a second time.

He said: "In my opinion burglary around here is worse now than it has been in the 30 years I have lived here.

"The amount of vandalism and car crime is also just ridiculous, they need to look at a different way of policing this estate as it seems to be getting worse.

"My house has been burgled twice, my garage broken into three times and my car twice and it is a similar story for many of my neighbours."

Other residents, who wished to remain unnamed, have also reported a string of burglaries with around six taking place in the last two weeks alone.

But Insp Nigel Perkins, of Stourbridge Police, revealed some of the more prolific offenders had now been taken off the streets.

He said: "We were aware there had been a problem on the Penfields and there have been some arrests made in that area in the last few days, so we should now see a reduction in the number of burglaries there."

A police sector meeting takes place at Lye Mosque Building, next to Lye Mosque, High Street, on Monday November 24 at 7.30pm.

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