SANDWELL Council are trying to ensure that a repeat of the tragic murder-suicide of a mother and daughter in Leicestershire does not happen in Rowley Regis and the wider borough.

An inquest last month revealed that Fiona Pilkington, 38, and daughter Francecca Hardwick, 18, had faced years of intimidation which lead to the mother carrying out a tragic murder suicide. After hearing tales of local people being intimidated by youths at the Rowley Regis Neighbourhood Forum local councillor and leader of the council Bill Thomas revealed he had ordered an immediate appraisal of procedures.

He said: “The day after it emerged what had happened in Leicestershire I asked my officers to draw up a report in to our services and procedures to find out if anyone could fall through the net like that in Sandwell.

“It was a tragic case and everything has to be done to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.”

He added: “You can not legislate at the highest level to stop everything that could happen but you can ensure that the right procedures are in place to protect people.

“And that is what we are doing at Sandwell Council we always have to look at the kind of services we are providing.”

He added: “The key to preventing the most vulnerable in society being intimidated is the partnerships between agencies including the police, the council and the local Primary Care Trust.”

A recent example of how various agencies have helped the most vulnerable in society was the case of a mentally ill woman in the borough.

Rowley Councillor Iris Boucher alerted the police to youngsters intimidating and distressing the lady at her home.

Police Sergeant Joel Morgan said: “The lady was very vulnerable and we had two officers stay in her garden for several nights and they stopped youngsters trying to get in. Letters were sent out to those responsible and the problem was resolved.”