POLICE are stepping up their patrols in Sedgley following several incidents of criminal damage, general disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Dudley Police have also identified three people for causing damage to a church wall and two youths have been enrolled in a Youth Offending Service programme.

It is also understood that stones have been thrown at vehicles in Sedgley.

As well as increased patrols, police are using dispersal powers until 3pm on May 14 to order anyone to leave the area whose behaviour is causing cause alarm, harassment or distress.

Dudley Police said: “Patrols are being increased to prevent further offences and to provide reassurance to local people and those visiting Sedgley.

“We know that local people are very concerned about what’s been happening, and we’d like to reassure them that lots of work is going on behind the scenes.

"A number of young people have been issued with ASB warning notices. They have been visited by officers to let them know what that means, and their parents have been informed.

"We have conducted lots of talks at local schools about the impact of anti-social behaviour.

"Three people have recently been identified for causing damage to a church wall.

"Two youths have been given a conditional caution and enrolled in an intensive YOS (Youth Offending Services) programme– neither of them have reoffended since.

"There are lots of posts online about these issues and we’d urge people to contact us and tell us what they know.

"Sometimes criminal damage and other low level offences can go unreported but we need to ensure that we have as much information as possible on every incident that has taken place.

"If you have information and haven’t yet been in touch, please contact us as soon as possible."

MP for Dudley North, Marco Longhi is also calling on Dudley Council to ‘advance the pace of regenerating youth services’. He said: “I have written to the Leader of the Council to advance the pace of regenerating youth services available to our young people. Inappropriate and criminal behaviour, as we have seen in Sedgley, should never be excused.

"However, I do believe a rapid improvement in local facilities for our young is needed. I am aware of a number of projects are being looked at and I have offered my full support to see them come to fruition.”