Residents across Meir were invited to a public meeting to raise ongoing safety concerns directly with police, council officers and local councillors.

During the meeting residents were told about the success of hotspot policing in the area and the fact that rates of anti-social behaviour have fallen. 

In recent weeks, monkey dust worth an estimated £1.5 million was seized after a parked van was searched off Weston Coyney Road in Longton, near the junction with the A520 Weston Road.

In addition to the usual policing, since May until the end of December there have been 793 more patrols which equates to 35,000 minutes of extra policing. 

Since the start of September in Meir antisocial behaviour has reduced by 21.4 per cent and overall crime by 17.3 per cent.

However, officers admitted there was still more to be done and encouraged attendees to report incidents.

Councillor Faisal Hussain who represents the area said: "It was great to attend the Meir Public Meeting with Staffordshire Police and representatives from the Council to listen to residents' concerns about the safety on Weston Road.

"As mentioned at the meeting in my ward in Meir South we have seen a significant decrease in antisocial behaviour however there's still concerns on Weston Road which need to be addressed and it was positive to hear that all partners will be working together to tackle this."

Residents raised concerns about a perceived lack of police presence, repeat issues involving individuals already known to police, and what they saw as insufficient enforcement action.

Representing Meir North, Councillor Lauren Davison said: "I'm really pleased to have had the chance to bring together police, council officers and councillors at the fantastic Florence MacWilliams Academy tonight, to talk about safety on Weston Road.

"It's so important that residents get the chance to hear directly from police and council about what's being done – because there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes and it's not always known about.

"I will be arranging more sessions like this, with more chances to ask questions and share ideas and concerns, in the coming months. 

"As a Councillor, my role is to keep banging the drum for residents about the issues they care about.

"That's what tonight was about – I will continue to keep raising the issue until residents feel tangibly safer."