Words by Ed King
West Midlands Police have launched a murder investigation today after two men were stabbed at a residential property on Cadbury Drive, Castle Vale – killing one man and leaving the other fighting for his life in hospital.
Emergency services attended the scene at around 1pm on Monday 13 March, but despite the best efforts of paramedics one of the men attacked was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other man was rushed to hospital where he remains in a “critical condition”.
West Midlands Police issued the following statement following the attack: “We’ve launched a murder investigation after two men were attacked at a property in Birmingham this afternoon.
“One man suffered stab wounds and, despite the best efforts of ambulance colleagues, died at the scene in Cadbury Drive just after 1pm. Another man also suffered stab wounds and has been taken to hospital in a critical condition.
“The offenders fled the scene in a car which was picked up and tracked by the police helicopter to Chatham Road in Northfield.
“Armed police stopped the vehicle and arrested three people, two men and a woman, on suspicion of murder.”
Police went on to explain that although the investigation is only in its “early stages” it is believed this was a “targeted attack” and therefore presenting no continuing danger to local residents.
The police’s statement continued: “We have already sealed off the scene for forensic examination and begun house to house and CCTV enquiries.”
Knife crime is a growing problem across the country, with Birmingham holding some of the highest rates for weapon possession or violent assault in comparison to other areas of the West Midlands.
According to the Office for National Statistics “Knife-enabled crime recorded by the police saw a 10% increase to 49,027 offences in the year ending March 2022, from 44,642 in the year ending March 2021.”
However, some local residents were quick to praise the swift reaction from the police and ambulance crews attending the incident on Castle Vale today – telling Erdington Local they were reassured at the size and speed of the emergency service’s response and did not feel threatened by any potentially continuing violence.
Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin also told Erdington Local: “I am very saddened and shocked to hear of the incident today, whilst I understand this is being treated as a murder investigation.
“I would ask that everyone remains calm and allows the police to undertake their investigations, my understand that arrests have been made this afternoon.
“Castle Vale is full good and decent residents, and this is not a representation of this amazing community.”
West Midlands Police are continuing their investigation and have called for any members of the public who may have useful information to get in touch.
The force added: “Anyone with information should contact us via Live Chat on our website quoting log 1841 of 13/3.”