23/04/07 - Chris uncovers evidence of drug gangs 'marking their territory' in Rowley Regis

Chris D. Kelly, Conservative candidate for Rowley ward, has uncovered what appears to be evidence of drug gangs 'marking their territory' in Rowley Regis. Chris has spotted what may seem like just a harmless teenage prank - training shoes dangling from telephone wires in a quiet suburban street - in Mayfield Crescent & Harvest Road B65. This is, however, more than likely not just a prank. Instead it is a symbol of gang warfare imported from the USA to the Black Country which police say has started springing up across the country as a warning sign from gangs to rivals to keep off their 'patch'. The shoes are often taken from mugging victims and hurled on to the wires by new members of the gangs as an initiation ritual. Chris said: "Drugs blight so many lives and deprive so many young people of the opportunity to fulfil their potential in life. There is no doubt in my mind that the drugs trade is evil - we must do all we can to stamp it out through zero tolerance policing. One can only sympathise with the victim of this probable mugging who had his or her trainers stolen by a local gang in the course of this ritual. I will be raising these issues with local police and also at the next town committee meeting to help make our streets safer." 

NOTES TO EDITORS

Chris D. Kelly is the Conservative candidate for Rowley ward, Sandwell MBC, and a member of the Approved List of Conservative Candidates. tellChris.com is Chris's campaign website.

• Click here for a high resolution photograph of Chris in Mayfield Crescent B65
• High resolution photographs of the trainers  1  _  2  _  3
• Click here for 'The trainers that mark a drug gang's territory', Mail on Sunday, 22 April 2007

For further information please contact Chris D. Kelly on 07711 638 807 or e-mail chrisATtellchris.com.

Chris D. Kelly, Kenrick Way, West Bromwich, West Midlands B71 4JW
T: 07711 638 807  _  E: chrisATtellchris.com  _  W: tellChris.com