Dear Mr Curteis, I am writing to you as you are one of the candidates for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner, committed to ensuring that our needs as a community are met and, that we can work together to feel safer – along with the more visible policing, improved local relationships ‘ through building confidence and restoring trust’.

I am a concerned resident who loves living in Shrewsbury, but who is feeling hugely frustrated by the destructive actions of a small group of young people in our area.

It has recently been brought to my attention from several sources that those responsible for:

• the recent attack at the prison

• the vandalism of several residents properties,

• shop lifting and ‘issues’ at our local Morrisons

• and generally intimidating behaviour throughout our area.

The youths concerned…..are very well known to the police and have been for some time.

Apparently one particular young person was identifiable from the prison footage and well known for being a ring leader and a notorious trouble maker. I was also told by the ladies working at Morrisons that the youths were easily recognisable from the cctv camera but the police said they weren’t.

I’ve no idea if this is true but I’ve also heard hat the same young people have also been terrorising the L****** for quite some time, and people have been locking themselves inside for safety. Hearing this really did add to my unease.

A month or so ago, many of us sat in a community meeting , with PCWilliamson and PCSO Sarah Williams (13th February) and we were told that “when” the police find out who these young people are, action will be taken.

Since then we haven’t heard anything and, after hearing that the police already knew who is responsible, I have been left feeling I have been lied to and that nothing will change.

Also, from my perspective and, after hearing at the meeting about the severe lack of police on the street, I not only feel unsafe in my community but since learning that these kids are somewhat untouchable I am wondering who’s actually in control.

This, I think, is not a recipe for a community where we all feel safe and supported. I appreciate that these issues are complicated and that there is no easy solution. However, I do believe that it helps if all concerned are as honest as they can be and that we are all in the picture about what is actuallyhappening – including knowing that it’s worth reporting if any of us are intimidated by the people concerned.

I’m pretty sure that there are a fair few people in this community who would be happy to get more involved in creating a safe community – if we were part of the conversation about how we can all work together.

I will alert members of our local community that elections are imminent and hope that we can encourage local people to make their views known.

If you are elected I’d like some reassurance that you will take this on board and get in touch with our local community representatives so that we can work together on these issues.

TO COMMENT - same thing in Kidderminster. Swansea. And almost everywhere.

I visited Isolde's home, spoke with her son who described some of the recent incidents, and called English Democrats policing and legal advice line, and then gave the family some pointers as to how we might approach these issues. If I am elected I will order a detailed report from Shrewsbury Police Station, and see if there are any other options than the ones immediately suggested.

No one else from other parties has even bothered to reply.