‘We don’t bother calling the police anymore’ Wolverhampton Post Office owner shares ‘disgusting’ use of alleyway next to his shop

Veteran shop owner Paramjit Aulakh and his wife Jesse have owned the Darlington Street Post Office for over a decade and have suffered a number of problems in doing so, from thugs kicking in their windows to the alley next door being used as a hub for illegal drug use and as a bathroom – where Paramjit claims to regularly see feces, urine and used needles scattered across the floor.

And, according to statistics released by Crimerate, by 2023, more than 10 percent of the city’s population have been victims of crime while just trying to live their lives in the place they call home, where they were raised and where they raise their children.

Statistics show that the city is in the top 20 most dangerous cities in the UK, outside of Scotland, and we recently launched a campaign against these crimes – and others – which we collectively call Silent Crime, to give victims a voice.

These may include theft, including theft of a person, motor vehicle or property, property damage, civil disputes, anti-social behaviour, drug use or dealing, drunkenness and disorderly behaviour, low-level criminal damage, minor assaults and domestic violence, shoplifting and weapons. possession.

Paramjit is one of those who has suffered such crimes, admitting that in one incident he had to pay hundreds of pounds to replace the windows of his shop that were broken by thieves. He said at the time that he didn’t call the police because he “didn’t think” they would do anything about it.

Along with the damage, his store is also parked next to an alley where people urinate, where he has seen human feces and what sometimes becomes a drug abuse center where used needles litter the floor.

Speaking exclusively to Express & Star, he said: “We’ve had a number of issues in the store, nothing too serious, but certainly enough that we’ve been quite fed up at times. inside and costs hundreds to fix.

“You have rioters and people trying to steal from the store. We are a newsagent and also a post office, so we sell snacks and drinks and my employees will catch people trying to steal sweets and drinks.

“I was woken up by notifications from the security system that there had been a break-in and I had to go down and see what was going on.

“We called the police, but in my opinion nothing, or not enough was done, it got to the point where we stopped calling them completely because we didn’t see the point.”

Join our Silent Crime campaign and complete our survey about crime in your neighborhood here: Express and Star Silent Crime Survey.

One of the biggest problems, according to Paramjit, is the alley that is next to his store.

Over the years, he said he saw human feces “several times” and used needles on the floor and walls. On one particular night, he said he watched CCTV as 12 people used the alley, and nine of them only used it to urinate.

Paramjit said: “People gather here to drink and do drugs, and they use it as a toilet, it’s disgusting.

“Customers do not use the alley because of the risks involved, this prevents them from using our services.

“I pay my council tax and business rates, I should have the police and council here when I need them, not enough is done to keep us safe.

“The alley is used as an escape route for criminals and drug addicts use it as a place to consume their drugs.

“All it would take is a locked gate and all this would stop, but still nothing is being done.”

The broader question is the effect this has on their customs. He said the elderly stay out late at night and only visit during the day. He said they also avoid parking near the store.

He said: “We’ve lost a lot of customers because of how unsafe the town is, and things like this horrible alley are part of the problem.

“We’ve called the police a number of times over the last decade about problems, we only get a crime reference number and it could affect your insurance, so reporting it could cause problems, and reporting it unsuccessfully means we won’t even get justice.

“Problems used to occur every day, now they occur every week or so, but drug use occurs most days.”

A spokesperson for Wolverhampton City Council said: “We are committed to working with members of the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership to ensure Wolverhampton city center, as well as the wider city, continues to be a safe and welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors.

“Perhaps there are misconceptions about the levels of crime recorded in Wolverhampton. In fact, total crimes recorded in the city fell by more than 10% in 2023-24 compared to the previous year.

“However, there is always more that can be done and earlier this year we introduced a Public Space Protection Order to help tackle anti-social behavior in Wolverhampton city centre.

“It gives certain regulated bodies, such as the police and the council, powers to ask groups of three or more people to vacate the area if there is reason to believe they are causing or are likely to cause a nuisance, threat or alarm to others, and we will consider whether it is appropriate to use these powers in this specific case.”

He added: “Measures such as the introduction of the Public Space Protection Order demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership to creating a safe city where crime, including anti-social behaviour, is prioritized and proactively tackled.”

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “Our officers are actively on the beat in the city center daily and we always encourage people to speak to us about their concerns.

“Reporting crime is important to us and we would ask anyone who is a victim of crime or anti-social behaviour, or whose property has been damaged, to get in touch.

“If you are in immediate danger, always call 999; Otherwise, call 101 or message us on live chat.

“Here in Wolverhampton city center and across our borough, police teams patrol every day.

“We understand how crime can impact our communities and our businesses and that a high-visibility presence helps reassure people and deter crime.

“But we are also working with partners, like the council, to help ensure the city is safe for everyone through enforcement and education.

“There is a public space protection order (PSPO) recently introduced in the city center which is designed to target those who cause anti-social behavior in the area.

“Prohibits groups that provoke anti-social behavior, are under the influence of alcohol in public places, obstruct paths and inappropriately use bus stops.

“Anyone who violates the PSPO can be arrested.

“If you see anything suspicious, report it immediately by calling 999 or 101. Alternatively, you can contact us via live chat on our website, and we will investigate.”

The epidemic of silent crime

6,300 crimes go unsolved every day in Britain, according to the latest Home Office figures.

Government data also shows that two million crimes went unsolved in a single year in the UK, while crimes such as knife crime and shoplifting have soared in the same set of statistics.

Relentless daily crime has prompted the Shropshire Star, along with its parent company NationalWorld and sister websites and newspapers across the country, to launch a campaign to give a voice to victims of violence, theft and anti-social actions – which are so often underreported.

We call this epidemic the Silent Crime.

Research shows that we only bother to tell the police about four out of every ten crimes. Adding these two numbers together, it becomes clear that the vast majority happen with absolutely no repercussions. And so they continue.

We want you to tell us about incidents that happened to you, your family or your friends in your neighborhood; how it impacted you and what justice was served – or not.

Why don’t we report all crimes and why isn’t the criminal justice system better at making criminals pay? It seems to me that faith in the systems that are supposed to keep us safe is at rock bottom.

Most of this is not the police’s fault, much of it comes down to a welfare system that has collapsed and politicians who have turned a blind eye for decades. This does not mean that urgent measures cannot and should not be taken. It doesn’t have to be like this.

To force change, we need to come together and remember that these “small” crimes are not acceptable. You should be safe and feel safe at work, at home, in the park, and in our own neighborhoods. We need you to tell us your stories and we, on your behalf, will take them to Downing Street. We need to stop being silent and we need you to help us.

Take part in our Silent Crime Survey in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Wyre Forest