Words by Ed King
Residents on Witton Lodge Road were evacuated from their homes this morning amidst reports of the army and bomb investigation personnel attending the scene – with the area from Perry Common Hall to College Road cordoned off.
Police cars could be seen blocking the entrance to Witton Lodge Road by Perry Common Hall, with a bomb disposal unit seen further behind the police tape with several officers investigating.
Local residents at the scene told Erdington Local that police had knocked on their doors earlier this morning telling them to stay in their houses, before returning some minutes later to ask they fully evacuate the area.
Concerned locals then gathered around the grassy roundabout – colloquially known as The Ring – as well as local cafes and shops. Some residents were reportedly given refuge at Perry Common Hall as police and investigating officials conducted a search of a residential address.
“I had a knock on the door this morning,” told a resident from Witton Lodge Road, “with the police telling me to stay inside – then after a while they came back and told us to leave. I hope my cats are OK.”
Another family were also turned out of their house without knowing why, with one member still in their dressing gown as they stood behind the police cordon.
“I was heading to work at about 8:45am and I saw a few police,” confirmed one woman. “Then by the time I’d got back the whole road [from The Rin to College Road] had been asked to leave their houses.
Jacy’s Café on Witton Lodge Road housed several residents as they waited to be allowed back home, with many taking the time to grab a breakfast and check out if friends and neighbours were OK. Staff at the café, a popular local eatery, had not been told much information by local law enforcement but were keeping concerned residents safe and well fed.
Whilst Erdington Local were at the scene, at around 11:15am, police started taking down the blue and white tape and letting residents back into their homes – with officers at the scene stating there was no threat to public safety.
A spokesperson from West Midlands Polcie confirmed to Erdington Local: “We’re currently dealing with an incident at Witton Lodge Road. We will provide more details as soon as we can.”
Erdington Local has asked West Midlands Polcie for any further information they can release.
At the time of writing, all police cordons had been lifted on Witton Lodge Road and residents had returned to their homes