Service 29 vandalism and anti-social behaviour affecting Walsall buses

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

Back at it tonight 29 is diverted

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

And 29 is on Diversion again due to them attacking on Coalpool Lane

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

There is concerns about ASB on the 59 now to
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/wolverhampton/2024/01/13/fears-over-anti-social-behaviour-on-one-of-wolverhamptons-busiest-bus-routes/
It's hidden behind a paywall unlike the 29 Police Officers travel on this route 

[ellspurs]

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/fears-over-antisocial-behaviour-bus-28435766 for a worse, but actually readable article.
 

[Stu]

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/fears-over-antisocial-behaviour-bus-28435766 for a worse, but actually readable article.
 

It's the same article, written by the same person, Joe Sweeney.

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

New Week you guessed it the 29 is diverted again. They hadn't done it for a while now they have done it 3 or 4 times in a couple of weeks 

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

Well the 29 isn't gonna be affected by ASB now as it's on diverion due to roadworks avoiding Coalpool Lane and Ross Road 

[Abluhwleh]

4598 got its engine cover ripped off by a certain chubby local on the Beechdale Estate

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

4598 got its engine cover ripped off by a certain chubby local on the Beechdale Estate

4598 is a WN Bus was it on the 69

[Abluhwleh]

4598 is a WN Bus was it on the 69

Yes.

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

Yes.

This happened at about 12:45 is according to Bus Times and it was moved at 16:40 ish

[Westy]

Bit of an update re the Blakenall & Coalpool situation, courtesy of Cllr Pete Smith, who you'll remember from the Midlands Today report last week.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/walsall/bloxwich/2024/01/17/councillors-hold-anti-social-behaviour-summit-as-terrified-blakenall-residents-plead-for-action/

Taken from Pete Smith's Next Door feed :

 CLLR. PETE SMITH'S REPORT BACK ON THE MEETING:

High powered Meeting with Senior Police, Council's Community Protection leaders, Transport bosses, Whg & Youth Service leaders on Monday 15th. January 2924.

It was outlined to Councillors that a lot of "joined -up" , collaborative work has been /is being carried out re: issues in the Blakenall area: * Building up intelligence from a variety of sources... * Extra Police resources into the Blakenall area..... *Use of drones where necessary..... * Checking/cross- referencing school absentee records....... *New and significant "new money" invested in youth work in the area..... * Crushing of many off-road motor bikes...... * Warnings already given to particular Whg tenants about breaching tenancy agreements due to their kids' behaviour and the possible possession of property consequences with more to come where necessary..... * several juveniles already arrested with some now going through the juvenile justice system..... ..... *Senior Police stating that they are prepared to put resources into Blakenall until this issue is resolved...... * Better & quicker communication links between bus drivers and the Police, as well as joint action..... *Use of plain clothes as well as uniformed Police.... * A much improved 101 System for reporting crime.... *Emphasis on the need for the local community to be more willing to come forward with information especially as it is felt that it is almost certain that this behaviour is coming from certain local juveniles.... *Encouragement for local residents to join/set up Neighbourhood Watch Groups and to join [...... * Other operational plans, the nature of which is best kept confidential from Councillors and the public at this stage.... *a further Meeting in a few weeks to monitor progress.

Cllr. Pete Smith made several points:

*Thanked all the agencies for their joint work that is bearing results.
Reminded the meeting that as far as the public are concerned "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" and that despite all the efforts, some of this stone throwing is still going on , possibly now also by some senseless copy -cat copiers.

*Empahsised that the shortening of the 19 bus service (whilst supported initially for safety reasons) should be restored ASAP as this cutting of the srvice amounted to a "collective punishment on the bus users". This argument of course is weakened every time another incident happens.

*Called for as much information as possible to be shared with the public (bearing in mind legalities and operational confidentiality issues that might limit this)

*These incidents should not be treated as "a bit of juvenile ASB" but as deliberate pre-meditated CRIME that is endangering lives! and those proven responsible for such acts should be dealt with in a serious manner.

*Above all, for all to recognise that the vast majority of adults and children in our Blakenall area are good, law abiding citizens who are doing their best, are generally happy living in the area, care about their kids, their education and their whereabouts and look out for each other. There is a great deal of positive energy and things going on in our area which we should be proud of. The problems need sorting but the area is not as bad as the media often try to make out.

*This meeting will not solve all the issues overnight but I am convinced that (as far as the law allows..and there's another debate as to what is and what should be).. everyone is doing the best they can.

*I am particualrly appreciative of the work being done by Portfolio holder, Cllr. Gary Perry who as Chair of the Meeting has been helping to co-ordinate all the work that is being done.

Cllr. Pete Smith.
Blakenall ward.

 

[Stu]

https://x.com/ST_Police/status/1748337205989249367

[Westy]

https://x.com/nxwestmidlands/status/1749158841701327132?s=20

[hlliwmai]

https://x.com/nxwestmidlands/status/1749158841701327132?s=20

So, it's STILL happening then...on the basis of this there is no way that Chaserider will revert the 19 back to it's original timetable, I hope at some point Chaserider decide they are pulling off the route altogether and I hope that no other operator wants to take it on and the route is scrapped indefinitely