CONCERNED Lye residents should be ‘reassured’ that their worries are being taken seriously, say police and council chiefs – ahead of what is expected to a vociferous community meeting next week.

A spate of crime and reports of illegal dwellings have been acknowledged by West Midlands Police and Dudley Council after residents continue to bombard the News with their fears.

A reader, who wished to remain anonymous, sent the News a picture of a burned-out shack behind Lye High Street, claiming that a Romanian couple had been living in the outbuilding.

Council chiefs have investigated that claim, while police are promising a ‘visible presence’ in the area after several incidents of violence in the High Street over the past month.

A statement from Councillor Laura Taylor, cabinet member for housing, said: “We are aware of the concerns people have in Lye and I want to reassure everyone that we are taking them seriously.

“We are also aware of claims more specifically that there have been people living in an outbuilding behind the High Street.

“Having sent officers down to investigate, although there was evidence that people had been inside, we found that the outbuilding was empty.

“There have been no further reports of such activity in the area since, however the area will continue to be monitored.

“We are continuing to work with partners including the police to tackle issues around anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and rogue landlords.

“We have also made a firm commitment to report back on any outcomes to the community forums and are putting extra community support resources into the area.

“We continue to urge residents who have specific concerns to report them to the relevant authority.”

Last week in Lye High Street, travel agents Rehman Travel was hit by a masked robbery on Monday (June 11) lunchtime and police were called to reports of a stabbing the following afternoon.

Those incidents followed on from a knife-point robbery and a report of racially-aggravated criminal damage two weeks earlier.

Sergeant David Skelhorn, from Stourbridge Police, said: "We regularly carry out patrols on the High Street and we will continue to have a visible presence of officers in the area to reassure the community.

"Any type of violence is unacceptable and we will always seek to catch those responsible and bring them to justice. Anyone with information which can assist our investigations is urged to call 101.”

Such incidents are likely to be high on the agenda when Amblecote, Cradley and Wollescote and Lye and Stourbridge North councillors hold their next Forum this coming Tuesday (June 26).

The meeting begins at 6.30pm in Lye Community Centre, off Cross Walks, following on from March’s forum where allegations of human trafficking, slavery, scavenging and more in the area were first made public.

Chair, Councillor Tim Crumpton said: “Our last meeting brought into the public domain a number of very serious issues facing Dudley residents and, in particular, the Lye area.

“Since that meeting there have been various reports in the press and councillors have held meetings with Council officers and the Police Commissioner.

“We want to tell people what we have been told and to give an opportunity to hear local people’s views.

“We are inviting the council’s Deputy Chief Executive so he can hear directly from residents of their experiences and so that he can tell all of us what the Council and partners are doing and planning to do.

“All six of the local councillors are fully committed to fight for any necessary action and investment to be directed against the unacceptable situation we have in the Lye area.

“We will ensure that the public are kept fully informed on any progress and ask for their continuing support for as long as this takes.

“All residents are welcome to attend, parking is limited but there is on street parking in the area.”