Mail boxes for residents' views

Mail boxes have been set up in part of Wolverhampton for people to post information on anti-social behaviour under a new crime-fighting scheme.

The boxes in the Heath Park area would allow people to report problems such as illegal riding of mini-motorbikes and noisy neighbours, police said.

The project would involve having six boxes in various buildings.

Information would be shared with the agencies best suited to tackle problems identified, West Midlands Police added.

'Traditional ways'

It said the boxes would be regularly emptied by officers as part of the scheme, which is called Neighbourhood Confidential.

Organisers hoped the boxes would encourage residents to have their say on how the police and city council manage their neighbourhood.

Sgt Clive Piper, from Heath Town police, said: "Local people have been sharing information with police and other organisations for many years.

"The new Neighbourhood Confidential scheme is an extension of that. It is not a replacement for sharing information in traditional ways such as through Crimestoppers."

The boxes can be found at Heath Park School, New Cross Hospital, Heath Town Housing Office on Chervil Rise, Woden Primary School on Springfield Road, Woden Road Medical Centre and the Post Office on Prestwood Road.

Residents would be kept informed on any progress made in resolving problems. Updates would be displayed on notice boards near to the mail boxes.

The initiative, which has also involved Wolverhampton Community Safety Partnership, has operated in the city in Low Hill and Scotlands, where it was launched February 2007.

Those with information regarding people involved in crime should call Crimestoppers anonymously, police said.