Anti-social behaviour at "all time low" in Oldbury

And recorded crime is also down - by almost a quarter on last year.

The figures were today welcomed by police, council and community leaders working together to make Oldbury a safer, cleaner place to live and work.

Figures released by Sandwell Police show there were over 2,000 fewer reports of anti-social behaviour between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 compared to the previous year, a fall of 46%.

And April and May have seen a 23% fall in recorded crime in the town, with 265 fewer victims than in the same two-month period last year.

Feedback from residents at the four neighbourhood forum meetings held in May has backed up the positive figures.

Resident Antonia Antoniou, who chairs Bristnall Neighbourhood Watch and has been coming to the forum meetings since 2006, said: "I have seen the difference over the years in things improving in the area.

"Concerns raised by the residents are fully investigated by the council, police and Sandwell Homes. The area has greatly improved since the forums were established."

Councillor Steve Trow, lead member for Oldbury, said: "The council, our neighbourhood police teams and all of our partners are very aware of the anxiety and distress that anti-social behaviour can cause to local communities.

"The figures show that our vigorous, joined-up approach to tackling anti-social behaviour is clearly working. But we will not be letting up on our efforts.

"I can assure local residents that, with their help, we'll be continuing to strive to do even better."

Oldbury neighbourhood manager Parmjit Sahota, from Sandwell Council, said there is a very strong partnership working ethos between public agencies to work closely with local residents and councillors to tackle local issues. 

He added: "The partnership has also been successful in finding long-term solutions to stubborn local issues to further improve the quality of life for local residents.

"We feel this greatly has helped to enhance the quality of life in the neighbourhoods and underpinned the reductions in anti-social behaviour across the town's neighbourhoods, with reports now at an all time low."

Acting Inspector Sharon Jones said: "I am very pleased with the continued reduction in anti-social behaviour across the town.

"It is an excellent example of what you can achieve with close partnership working and is evidence of strong commitment to members of the community improving quality of life."

Anyone who wants information on neighbourhood forums in Oldbury, or has any neighbourhood issues to raise, please contact Parmjit Sahota on 0121 569 3557 or email parmjit_sahota@sandwell.gov.uk