Photo: Jess Loughborough

Tamworth MP, Christopher Pincher has lobbied Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly to encourage him to personally veto the closure of the Tamworth’s Magistrates and County Courts, both of which have been earmarked for closure to save money. If this was to happen, the magistrates duties would be split between Burton and Cannock with County Court services diverted to Stafford.

Mr Pincher met with the Minister privately for half hour, outlining the reasons why Tamworths courts should stay open focussing on their high utilisation rate as well as their facilities and location. Tamworth’s court system benefits from its own suit of cells, video conferencing so that prisoners and others can be interviewed remotely, a 400 space car park across the road and a police station next door. Tamworth’s facilities are also far more accessible to the disabled than other local courts.

Following the meeting Mr. Pincher said:

“I am pleased Jonathan Djanogly agreed to see me which I think shows how seriously he is taking the issue of court closures. I do not doubt that we currently have too many courts in the county but closing one of the busiest, best equipped and most accessible of all of them just does not make sense to me. So I will campaign for a rethink. The Minister has specifically asked me to ensure I contribute to the consultation so the issues I raised can be looked at formally by him and his team.”

“I pointed out that if our court services move to Burton court which has no cells of its own and relies on those in the local police station, we run the risk of overcrowding in Burton police station. When that happened in Stafford the local police withdrew their cells from court use. If the same thing happens in Burton the court there could be thrown into chaos. Mr. Djanogly recognised this as a real concern.”

Christopher Pincher has also highlighted that all input to the consultation on the closure of Tamworth’s magistrates’ and county courts will be considered by HMCS which is considering closing 103 courts in England and Wales. The deadline for submission is 15th September. If you would like to have your say about the closure of Tamworth’s courts, you can write to the following address with their views.

Mrs Tessa Ellis
Head of Operations
Her Majesty’s Court Service
PO Box 2676 Comberton Place
Kidderminster
DY10 1WE

Property Raided in Bolehill

Tamworth Blog was given the opportunity to speak to the new Commander of the Tamworth Neighbourhood Police Unit, Inspector Emma Griffiths and learn about what was going to happen in Tamworth after the Dawn raids on Tuesday December 1.

The dawn raids were just the beggining of making Tamworth a safer place to live and work.  Taking 14 dealers of the streets could send the wrong message to other dealers in the region who could see Tamworth as having a gap in the market, but Staffordshire Police and new Commander for Tamworth, Inspector Emma Griffths are keen to use this period to catch those who try to take their places.

Speaking to us after the raids, Inspector Griffiths spoke about over the coming weeks a huge operation monitoring hot spots for activity relating to drugs as well as the ongoing work with the partners in helping those who have grown dependant on drugs throughout the town.

Inspector Griffiths told Tamworth Blog:

“Operation Nemesis and the dawn raids are just the start.  The coming weeks will see us working with our partners to assist drug users and those concerned relatives.

“But this isn’t the end of the policing.  Over the coming weeks we will be monitoring locations throughout Tamworth for any new dealers coming into Tamworth. If they do, we will catch them.

“It is our aim for Tamworth to become a safer place for those that live here, but not for criminals.”

Speed Camera Sign - Pic: Leo Reynolds

Keeping you mobile, this is where the Mobile Traffic Enforcement camera’s will be throughout Tamworth this week (week starting October 5 2009).

Tuesday October 6

• A51 Hopwas Hill, Hopwas

• B5080 Pennine Way,Tamworth between B5000 and Pennymoor Road

• B5404 Tamworth between Sutton Road and junction of A4091 (Coleshill Road / Fazeley Road)

• B5404 Watling Street, Tamworth between A51 and A5

• B5493 Ashby Road, Tamworth

Wednesday October 7

• A51 Hopwas Hill/Lichfield Road, Hopwas

• B5080 Pennine Way,Tamworth between B5000 and Pennymoor Road

• B5404 Tamworth between Sutton Road and junction of A4091 (Coleshill Road / Fazeley Road)

• B5404 Watling Street, Tamworth between A51 and A5

• B5493 Ashby Road, Tamworth

Thursday October 8

• A51 Hopwas Hill/Lichfield Road, Hopwas

• B5080 Pennine Way,Tamworth between B5000 and Pennymoor Road

• B5404 Tamworth between Sutton Road and junction of A4091 (Coleshill Road / Fazeley Road)

• B5404 Watling Street, Tamworth between A51 and A5

• B5493 Ashby Road, Tamworth

Please note, we obtain these locations from Staffordshire County Council.