Joint action intensifies at The Heritage
Authorities in Walsall have escalated enforcement at The Heritage flats on Wednesbury Road after persistent reports of anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing, drug use and prostitution. In a coordinated effort, West Midlands Police are working with Walsall Council and housing provider GreenSquareAccord to disrupt criminal activity, support residents and stabilise the block.
As part of the latest measures, officers have issued two eviction notices and secured a closure order on one flat identified as a focal point for offending. The council has also installed CCTV in the vicinity to bolster surveillance and provide evidence for ongoing cases. The steps follow sustained complaints from the public and neighbours about safety and nuisance at the site.
“We understand the impact anti-social behaviour has on residents and communities. We received a lot of reports from members of the public complaining about issues with crime and anti-social behaviour at the site, and working alongside our partners, we have taken action.”
Inspector Jon Butler, of Walsall’s Neighbourhood Policing and Problem Solving Team, said the operation will continue until there is a lasting improvement. The partnership has emphasised that enforcement is being combined with support to prevent displacement and reduce the likelihood of problems returning.
What’s changing and why it matters
The approach at The Heritage reflects a wider shift locally: move quickly against addresses linked to criminality while making sure residents can access help. The installation of CCTV aims to deter offending and create an evidential trail, while eviction and closure powers target properties that are drawing repeat complaints. Council leaders have praised the multi-agency model as a step-change in dealing with entrenched behaviour that undermines quality of life for tenants and neighbours.
For people living near Wednesbury Road, the practical impact should be clearer sightlines, increased visibility of officers and housing staff, and a faster response to fresh intelligence. Importantly, the partners stress their threshold for intervention has been met by persistent reports, and they will keep returning to the block to check compliance and gather information.
| Action | Status |
|---|---|
| Eviction notices | 2 issued |
| Closure order | 1 flat |
| CCTV deployment | Installed near site |
| Patrols | Ongoing, targeted to hotspots |
Part of wider town-centre safety push
The crackdown sits within #SaferTownsSummer, a police-led programme delivering visible patrols and enforcement operations in known hotspots across the borough’s centres. While the initiative’s name reflects seasonal activity, local teams say the learning and techniques are being embedded so that problem addresses can be prioritised and acted on quickly throughout the year.
Council representatives have underlined that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and that their role includes both enforcement and tenant support. Housing managers from GreenSquareAccord are working with police to ensure tenancy conditions are upheld and that those responsible for repeated breaches face proportionate consequences.
How residents can help
Information from the community continues to drive the work at The Heritage. Officers say that reports from neighbours, visitors and passers-by have been central to pinpointing the most disruptive addresses and securing court-backed powers.
- Report non-emergency crime or anti-social behaviour by calling 101 or using the live chat service on the West Midlands Police website.
- Share times, locations and brief descriptions to help target patrols and evidence-gathering.
- Seek advice on anti-social behaviour via official police and council channels if you’re unsure how to report.
Partners involved in the operation say they will maintain pressure until conditions improve across the block and surrounding streets. Residents can expect continued checks at properties previously linked to offending, alongside a presence from neighbourhood officers to offer reassurance and take statements where needed.
The message from the partnership is clear: ongoing community reporting, combined with enforcement tools and targeted patrols, will underpin a longer-term improvement at The Heritage and contribute to safer streets across Walsall’s town centres.
