Shropshire Senior Detective Warning to Violent Offenders

Violent behaviour will not be tolerated and offenders are likely to face a prison sentence, Shropshire's senior police detective has warned.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards was speaking after a 39-year-old Whitchurch man was jailed for 32 months for violent robbery.

Scott Mills, of Castle Court made an unprovoked attack on a 41-year-old man on November 6 last year, knocking him unconscious before stealing £100 from his trouser pockets.

Mills was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday after admitting the offence.  His victim suffered cuts and bruises to his face and head.

DCI Edwards said today the courts were supporting the police in taking strong action against violent offenders.

"Violence of any sort, whether it's in the street, in pubs and clubs, or in a domestic situation, will not be tolerated.  The police will look to charge offenders and put them before the court," he said.

"People need to be aware that if they fight in a public place they will be arrested and are likely to end up with a criminal record.  Such behaviour is totally unacceptable and inexcusable."

His comments come at a time when overall incidents of "violence against the person" in Shropshire have fallen.

So far in the year beginning April 1, 2011 there have been a total of 2,159 incidents, a reduction of 84 (3.7 per cent) on the same period the previous year.  And incidents where actual bodily harm or other injury has been caused, have dropped from 1,021 to 974 (a 4.6 per cent improvement).

Robbery statistics for the county remain on a par with the previous year at around 55.

"While the figures are moving in the right direction, there is room for further improvement," said DCI Edwards.

"Fortunately, the vast majority of incidents are for relatively minor assaults where  there is little or no injury.  In many cases, alcohol has played a significant part, leading to confrontations which should be avoided.

"We strongly urge people to avoid trouble.  If possible, walk away from confrontational situations.  Exercise self-control, do not drink to the point where you loose control.  So many people get arrested for being violent under the influence of alcohol, end up in the cells and often wake up next morning struggling to recollect what happened.

"Invariably, they regret their actions. But if they have resorted to violence, it's too late to be sorry and they will have to face the consequences."