CRIME in Rowley, Cradley Heath and Old Hill decreased in recent months thanks to a policeman’s best friend - PC Rain.

The Cradley Heath and Old Hill Neighbourhood Forum was told that bad weather and a new Sandwell Homes CCTV control centre had helped cut crime in the area.

Statistics show that the number of offences were down on the same period last year and earlier in the year.

Sergeant Joel Morgan, who lives locally, told residents at the Cradley Heath and Neighbourhood Forum that crime was relatively low in the area.

He said: “As usual the weather has helped, the rain always seems to dampen down problems with anti-social behaviour.”

He said: “The latest crime statistics show that this part of Sandwell is a safe place to live with a low crime rate.

“There have been various complaints about speeding in the area and we are trying to combat it but an official speeding survey showed that the problem was not as bad as first thought.”

Police carried out several high profile operations including a stop and search blitz outside Addenbrooke Court on the Riddins Estate in a bid to find drugs.

Sgt Morgan said: “We call this a signal event to let everyone in the community and the criminals that we will not tolerate criminal activity around these flats.“ A spokesman for Sandwell Homes said: “We now have a lot more cameras operational and our CCTV control room is up and running and making a massive difference.

“This will make a difference to the crime rates across Sandwell and the Rowley, Cradley Heath and Old Hill area.”