A 60-year-old man has been charged with assault and theft following an incident in Walsall town centre where a woman was reportedly slapped in the face.
Charges and Court Appearance
Peter Atkins was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault. The charges relate to an incident that occurred on Lichfield Street, Walsall, on January 13.
Atkins was also charged with theft from a shop, an offence which is alleged to have taken place on Wednesday, January 15.
He was due to make his first court appearance at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court on Thursday, January 16.
Police Operation and Arrest
Walsall Police confirmed that Atkins was arrested on Wednesday by officers from the St Matthew’s policing team.
The arrest was part of proactive work under the force's Safer Streets Winter initiative, which focuses on Violence Against Women and Girls.
Throughout December, the team concentrated on the night-time economy in Walsall town centre, deploying officers on high-visibility patrols on key evenings.
Ask for Angela and High-Visibility Patrols
A police spokesperson provided further details on the ongoing operation. "Officers proactively engaged with staff at late night venues where we also checked they were trained in the Ask for Angela scheme," they said.
The spokesperson added: "Our officers have also been carrying out high visibility patrols at key transport locations including the bus station and train station, and concentrating on anti-social behaviour hotspots to provide a visual deterrent and reassurance for women and girls using these facilities."
This work forms part of the national Winter of Action initiative, where police work with partners in town centres across the region. The aim is to tackle crime, reassure communities, and ensure high streets are welcoming and safe for everyone.
