COMMUNITY activists in Pensnett have hit out at police after officers failed to turn up to a meeting to set up a Street Watch scheme following a 'communication breakdown'.

Around 20 residents living near Fens Pool Nature Reserve turned up for the meeting on Monday evening, expecting to hear the force extol the virtues of setting up the community-led initiative, which sees members of the public carry out street patrols and report suspicious activity to the police.

But they were left bemused when officers - who agreed to attend to make a presentation - failed to show up at the Fens Pool Community Centre or even give their apologies.

Members of the Friends of The Fens group hoped that a Street Watch scheme would help tackle the problem of off-road bikers, who have blighted the beauty spot of late.

Group chairman, Mark Giles, said: "I know the police are short staffed right now but to just not show up for such an important meeting to launch an initiative that was their suggestion is inexcusable.

"I am angry and disappointed and this has completely destroyed my faith in the police.

"Why should people like me and the other residents bother when we are treated like this?

"Attempts to contact someone to find out what was happening also failed as there was no response when we dialled 101."

Councillor Judy Foster, who represents Brockmoor and Pensnett, said: "This is inexcusable and discourteous behaviour on the part of the police.

"When the problem with the motorbikes was getting out of hand I was given an assurance from the top that tackling it would be the neighbourhood policing team’s number one priority."

Cllr Foster, who is also a group committee member and former vice chairman of the West Midlands Police Authority, added: "It’s the police themselves that wanted a Street Watch scheme, yet by Monday, the neighbourhood police had already delegated attendance to the meeting to another team, which then not only failed to turn up but also failed to notify the organiser."

Chief Superintendent Richard Fisher, of Dudley Police, told the News: “This was a completely unacceptable breakdown in our internal communication and we take full responsibility for that.

“We have already made contact with those involved in pulling the meeting together to offer our sincere apologies, and I’ll be making sure it doesn’t happen again."

He added: “Getting communities involved in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is absolutely vital, so I completely understand how upset those who gave up their time to take part in the meeting are.

“We are committed to tackling the anti-social behaviour that has blighted the lives of people in the Fens Pool area, which remains a policing priority for the local team and are looking forward to working with residents to achieve this.”