Category: Erdington High Street police

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ERDINGTON POLICE: Keeping Erdington safe – A message from Inspector Hayley Thompson

Inspector Hayley Thompson (photograph supplied by WMP)

Words by Inspector Hayley Thompson – Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team

(**Ed’s note… this column was first published on Friday 17 October in the Erdington Local print edition.)

It’s been another busy month for the Erdington neighbourhood team, as we wrapped up September with a successful All Out Day.

It was fantastic to be out on the High Street, meeting so many of you alongside my colleagues, and new Chief Inspector, Chanelle Whitney.

We spent time speaking with local residents and businesses, listening to concerns around issues like shop theft and drug use, both of which we’re actively working to address. Your feedback is invaluable and helps shape our priorities moving forward.

We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from our partners, including Birmingham Community Safety Partnership, North LCSP, Erdington BID, and many others.

The presence of Fearless officers on the High Street has become a reassuring sight for many residents and businesses and their weekly patrols are making a real impact.

We’ve charged a man with a string of shop thefts on Erdington High Street, after he was arrested by Fearless officers on 1 October.

Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team and Birmingham City Council Safety Enforcement Offciers on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

The 24-year-old was charged with seven theft offences from several different stores, including on the High Street.

Among those also arrested this week were individuals wanted for domestic harassment, drink driving, and failing to comply with a community order.

Looking ahead, we’ve got several community open events happening this month at our Engagement Hub, located outside B&M. These are a great opportunity to speak directly with officers, get crime prevention advice, and have a friendly chat.

We hope to see you there.

Inspector Hayley Thompson

For more on the police and crime in Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington

You can also follow the Erdington police team on Twitter www.x.com/ErdingtonWMP

 

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ERDINGTON POLICE: A Message from Sargeant Gary Grove

Sergeant Gary Grove standing by police vehicle on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Words by Sgt Gary Grove – Erdington High Street police team

We’re so grateful for the help and support we get from our volunteers in Erdington, that I wanted to explain more about how we work in partnership with them to keep the area safe.

Our StreetWatch volunteers regularly head out with officers, chatting with residents and offering a reassuring presence. Just recently, they stepped in to help someone during a medical emergency – staying with them until help arrived. That kind of care really shows the heart of our community.

We also have SpeedWatch groups made up of local residents who work with us to tackle speeding. We’ve invested in new equipment to support them, and if speeding is something you’re worried about in your area, please do get in touch so we can look to address it.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering and can spare just a couple of hours a week, we’d love to hear from you. You can drop us a line at [email protected]

Meanwhile, our neighbourhood team is continuing to act on what matters most to you. We’ve recently arrested a suspected drug dealer in The Gardens and seized cannabis from a vehicle linked to drugs.

We’re also working closely with Operation Fearless and Trading Standards to crack down on illegal goods being sold on the High Street – seizing several items as part of our ongoing efforts.

As always, if there’s anything you’re worried about or if you have any information to share, please feel free to contact us.

Stay safe,

Sergeant Gary Grove

For more on the police and crime in Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington

You can also follow the Erdington police team on Twitter www.x.com/ErdingtonWMP

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ERDINGTON POLICE: A Message from Sargeant Gary Grove

Sgt Gary Grove standing by patrol vehicle on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Words by Sgt Gary Grove

It’s a busy time for our dedicated Erdington officers as we continue to work hard to make the area as safe as possible.

I’d previously updated you on our new Community Engagement Hub at the heart of the High Street, which was formally opened by Operation Fearless, alongside Paulette Hamilton MP and our community partners.

As ever, we’re welcoming your feedback and thoughts on any issues in the area and how we can work together to tackle them – and the hub should be a place for you to speak to dedicated officers about any concerns.

We’re targeting those looking to cause harm in the area, and we recently arrested a man after seizing several dangerous weapons, another wanted for a serious assault, and two more who were wanted on recall to prison.

We’re also aware of reports of anti-social behaviour in The Feldings, and we’re actively patrolling there as we look to disrupt it. Again, if you have any reports or information about ASB – please do let us know.

We’ve also had complaints from residents about problem vehicles and I’m pleased to say our team recently recovered one van which shouldn’t have been on the road, and recovered another which had been stolen.

Our patrols will continue as we support the Safer Streets Summer campaign, and it’s always a pleasure to join partners and our dedicated Street Watch volunteers. If you’re interested in joining us – please get in touch.

Stay safe.

Sgt Gary Grove.

For more on the police and crime in Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington 

You can also follow the Erdington police team on Twitter www.x.com/ErdingtonWMP

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ERDINGTON HIGH STREET POLICE: Keeping Erdington High Street safe – A message from Sargeant Gary Grove

Sgt Gary Grove standing by patrol vehicle on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Words by Sgt Gary Groves – Erdington High Street police team

(Ed’s note… this column was written the June/July Erdington Local newspaper and first published, in print, on Thursday 12 June.)

Firstly, I hope you’ve all been able to enjoy some time outdoors during the longer days. If you’ve been on the High Street, you’ll have hopefully noticed myself and the team out and about as we work to keep the community safe.

That work’s been bolstered by the arrival of our new Community Engagement Hub, at the heart of the High Street.

Some of you have spoken about the need for a public space to report crime, seek advice, and engage with officers – and we hope the hub will deliver just that.

It’ll serve as a base for police and partners including local authority anti-social behaviour officers, and colleagues from the Business Improvement District.

If you are on the High Street – do pop in to say hello.

The team’s work to protect the community has continued at pace, making 29 arrests since the start of May.

Illegal contraband seized from Erdington High Street during police operation / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

We’ve also been working with Trading Standards to act on intelligence from the community about the supply of illegal vapes, cigarettes, and tobacco in Erdington.

The High Street Team supported Operation Fearless colleagues during a day of activity where an estimated £750,000 of potentially harmful and illegal goods were seized from two shops and vehicles.

Your information and updates can be vital, and we will always listen to what you have to tell us.

Pop in to the hub or come and chat to us when we’re on patrol, and I’ll keep you up to date on our progress.

Stay safe, Sgt Gary Grove.

For more on the police and crime in Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington 

You can also follow the Erdington police team on Twitter www.x.com/ErdingtonWMP

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NEWS: Erdington Neighbourhood Police to host Volunteer Day on Saturday 31 May

Entrance to Erdington Police Station on Sutton New Road / Photograph by Ed King

Words by Ed King

Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team are looking for volunteers to support their work around the Town Centre and wider constituency.

Hosting a special Volunteer Day outside Erdington Police Station on Saturday 31 May, the local force will be showcasing many of the initiatives and groups they run in area – hoping local residents and people across Erdington will join up and get involved.

Running from 10am to 12noon, the Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team Volunteer Day will be a chance to learn more about groups and initiatives including the Police led Street Watch, Neighbourhood Watch, Special Constables, and the Police Museum in Birmingham City Centre.

There will also be existing volunteers and representatives for the Erdington Police Community Speed Watch, who are targeting reckless drivers and speeding around residential streets – including dangerous hotspots such as near schools and nurseries.

Members of the Police Cadets will also be introducing younger potential volunteers to their group, which invites 13 to 17 year olds to get involved in softer police procedures.

Having relaunched in January 2025, the Police Cadets programme is looking for “passionate individuals” to support community outreach work and learn more about how each police department operates and supports the community.

Erdington PCSO leads the first Community Speed Watch with local volunteers on Spring Lane, Erdington / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

In a message on the police WMNow newsletter, posted ahead of the Volunteer Day, Erdington High Street PCSO Manider Tagger told: “Erdington Neighbourhood [Police] Team would like to invite you to our Volunteers Day which is taking place on the 31st May 2025 between 10:00am – 12:00pm outside of Erdington Police Station, Wilton Road, Erdington.

“This Volunteers Day we will have our Volunteers in Erdington all in one place advertising what it is they do, their experiences and how you can get involved.”

Sergeant John Reeves, who heads up the Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team, previously told Erdington Local: “By working together as a community and actively looking after our area, we can create a better and safer place to live.

“[The community’s] active participation and collaboration are essential to achieving our shared goal of creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone.”

Sgt Gary Grove, High Street Police Team, and Erdington Street Wardens on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Erdington Town Centre has also recently seen the introduction of a dedicated High Street Police Team, headed by Sergeant Gary Grove to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the retail and community hub.

Writing regular updates on local policing in Erdington Local, Sgt Grove recent added: “We know these issues matter to the community, so we’ll be taking strong action to stop them.

“You’ll see us on patrol, listening to the community and acting on intelligence. We’re here to help and if you see us out and about, please do say hello.”

For more on the local police in the Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington

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ERDINGTON HIGH STREET POLICE: Keeping Erdington High Street safe – A message from Sargeant Gary Grove

Sgt Gary Grove from the Erdington High Street police team / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Words by Sgt Gary Grove – Erdington High Street police team

For those of you who haven’t met me yet, I’m Sgt Gary Grove, your new High Street policing team Sergeant. It’s my pleasure to introduce myself and share how we’re working hard to keep our community safe.

With the Op Fearless team relocating to Southside, we’re focused on building on their success and making sure Erdington remains a safe place to live, work, and visit.

Their work led to more than 140 arrests, acting directly on concerns from residents and businesses. Fearless will return to Erdington from time to time to work with us, but now it’s our job to keep up momentum.

Sgt Grove talking to Erdington BID Street Wardens / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID

Since taking over at the start of April, we’ve had a strong start, making more than 17 arrests for various offences, executing warrants, and seizing illegal items. Our vehicle stops have led to the discovery of cash and drugs, while stop and searches have helped us remove dangerous weapons and knives from the streets.

This month, we’ll be out engaging with local businesses alongside partner agencies, ensuring the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is enforced by tackling street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

We know these issues matter to the community, so we’ll be taking strong action to stop them.

Sgt Grove, the High Street police team, and Erdington BID Street Wardens / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID

You’ll see us on patrol, listening to the community and acting on intelligence. We’re here to help and if you see us out and about, please do say hello.

I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress, successes, and future initiatives.

Stay safe, Sgt Gary Grove

For more on the local police and crime in Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington

You can also follow the Erdington police team on Twitter www.x.com/ErdingtonWMP