‘It wasn’t like this before’: Shropshire residents speak out against silent crime in their neighbourhoods

That’s what one Wellington resident said when the Shropshire Star visited the city centre to gauge views on low-level crime.

Students admitted they were afraid to venture out of the house alone as residents shared their experiences of anti-social behaviour.

Low-level crimes or misdemeanors include simple assault, drunken and disorderly conduct, low-level shoplifting, and minor traffic violations such as speeding and driving without due care and attention.

The comments come as the Shropshire Star joins NationalWorld websites and newspapers across the country in launching a campaign against these and other crimes that we call Silent Crime – you can read all about it in the section at the bottom of this story.

Wellington resident Peter Garbett says he has seen “quite a bit” of low-level crime while working in Shrewsbury and believes it is more common now than in the past.

He said: “We were collecting over 100 needles a week from public toilets when we were cleaning them and emptying the bins.

“It’s very sad because Shrewsbury is a lovely town. To see needles and things in the flowerbeds and right in the middle of the quarry where there are thousands of tourists, it’s very sad to see.”

The 58-year-old said the crime was reported to park rangers who then passed the matter on to West Mercia Police.

Asked if he felt safe where he lives, the Wellington resident added: “Where I live I feel pretty safe, but there are certain places I wouldn’t go at night and I wouldn’t feel safe.

“I think the police are taking note of it, but whether they act or not is another matter.

“I think low-level crime is on the rise. I used to work in Wellington Market and I would see 30 robberies a week.

“I’m used to seeing this level of shoplifting and low-level crime, and it’s very sad.