Words by Tracy Fisher and Ed King
West Midlands Police have arrested three people, after starting an investigation into reports of shots being fired in Kenrick Croft on Castle Vale in the early hours of Sunday morning.
According to local residents and people who were in the area at the time, an altercation occurred on the street in the early hours – followed by a car arriving at the scene, and a man releasing “three or four” gunshots.
After the shots were fired, according to local residents the car sped off but got lost in the roads that connect the Kendrick Croft to the wider estate – raising question that those involved were not familiar with Castle Vale.
Emergency services attended the scene, with local residents celebrating the police for arriving “very quickly” after the incident was reported.
Police immediately began knocking on doors and gathering eyewitness accounts and local knowledge about the incident, with a forensic team arriving later and cordoning off Kendrick Croft whilst the began searching for clues.
Blue and white police tape cordoned off Kendrick Croft until mid morning on Sunday 1 June, with cars being blocked from entering or exiting the roads whilst the police investigation was underway.
West Midlands Police have been able to confirm that no one was serious injured in the attack, and that three individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin was also quick to arrive at the scene, to support both investigating officers and the local community, and has committed to establishing a special task force to challenge violent crime on the estate.
After the incident, a spokesperson form West Midlands police told: “We’re investigating after disorder where gunshots were fired in Kenrick Croft, Castle Vale, at around 2am today (1 June).
“It’s understood a group were involved in a melee, but no-one was present when officers arrived. At this stage, no-one is understood to have sustained gunshot injuries.”
They added: “Following enquiries we later arrested three people on suspicion of being connected to the disorder.
“A 40-year-old man and 41-year-old woman have been detained on suspicion of violent disorder and possession of a firearm. They’re currently in custody for questioning.”
“Another man, aged 43, has also been arrested on suspicion of the same offences. He’s currently in hospital and will be questioned in due course.
“We’re carrying out extensive enquiries in and around the area to establish the full circumstances and who was involved. We’ve also stepped up reassurance patrols.”
Councillor Ray Goodwin further told Castle Vale Local: ““I am concerned to hear from local residents this morning there was an incident in Avery Croft and Kendrick Croft – where it seems firearms where discharged.
“I can confirm forensics have been at the scene and West Midlands Police are working on an investigation.
“I am pleased that no one has been seriously injured. However, we must double down on dealing with the perpetrators of crime and I will be working with all agencies to set up a task force – to look at what has happened, and how we can pull in resources to support the community and to stop these crimes from happening again.”
He added: “Castle Vale is an amazing community; one I am proud to be a part of and proud to represent. But isolated incidents like this put Castle Vale in the news for the wrong reasons.
“I am sorry the wider community – who have done nothing wrong – and are pulled into the wrongdoing by people who, from what I hear in this incident, don’t live on the estate.
“I will do everything in my power to stop these issues from happening again and to support the amazing Castle Vale community.”
West Midlands Police have asked anyone with information that may be able to support their investigation to contact them by calling 101 and quoting log 446 of 1/6/25.
Alternatively, people can contact the police via the Live Chat facility on the West Midlands Police website at www.westmidlands.police.uk
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