LORELY BURT MP JOINS BARN LANE RESIDENTS IN CALL TO TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

10.18.49pm GMT Wed 21st Mar 2007

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt arranged a meeting between police officers and local residents in Barn Lane, Lyndon last week after vandals left a trail of damage to cars and property in the area.

This was just the latest in a long line of incidents of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour suffered by residents in Barn Lane and the surrounding streets.

Fed up homeowners sent Lorely Burt a set of photographs of the latest damage to their homes and she arranged for the police to visit residents to give them an opportunity to air their frustrations with local officers.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"I had already been in touch with residents over persistent problems with anti-social youths in the area but the police have not been able to catch the offenders.

"Local people are at the end of their tether and so I arranged for officers to meet with myself and a group of residents to discuss their grievances.

"Officers saw the problems at first hand and agreed to increase surveillance in the area in a further attempt to catch those responsible who have been spray painting their 'tag' after causing damage to fences and cars.

"I will also be writing to the Minister responsible to call for local powers for restorative justice, to allow local people a say in work given to offenders to put right damage they have caused.

"It is high time people who carry out these mindless acts were made responsible to the community for their actions when they are caught."