Shisha Shop at 280 High Street, Erdington, with shutters down after Closue Order issued / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
Words by Erdington Local Editorial Team
Shisha Shop by Six Ways Island has been officially closed down, after West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards found the business was selling illegal vapes.
Promoting itself as offering ‘E-Cigs, Tobacco, Shisha & Accessories’, the business located at 280 High Street, Erdington, was targeted as part of the Operation Fearless initiative that started in Erdington Town Centre in January 2025.
Having accumulated enough evidence to establish the independent retailer was selling illegal vapes, West Midlands Police and Trading Standards finally secured a Closure Order from Birmingham Magistrates Court to force down the shutters on 11 August 2026.
Under Section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a Closure Order can be issued to shut down a business for up to three months if it is believed anyone at the address ‘has engaged, or is likely to engage, in criminal behaviour on the premises’.
Operation Fearless and Council notice on shutters at Shisha Shop, 280 High Street, Erdington / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
The enforcement at 280 High Street, Erdington, was based on evidence gathered by Operation Fearless and enacted as part of Operation Cloud.
Public Health were also consulted, likely due to the potential health risks around the sale of illegal vapes, which are produced and sold without regulation.
Illegal vapes have been known to contain excess levels of nicotine, exceeding the legal UK limit, and can emit hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein from cheaply produce heating coils.
A study into the dangers of illegal vapes at the University of Dery also found the under the counter products can contain dangerous levels of lead, nickel, chromium, and cadmium – which can impair brain development.
Erdington Wrad Councillor Robert Alden on Erdington High Street with police / Photograph supplied by Cllr Alden
Following the closure of Shisha Shop, Erdington Ward Councillors Robert Alden and Gareth Moore told local residents through social media: “We have been pushing for tougher enforcement on Erdington High Street from Birmingham Police and Birmingham City Council, therefore we are delighted to see this enforcement action being taken.”
They added: “We will continue working with the Erdington BID to help hold the Council and Police to account and ensure that the enforcement action needed is taken to keep our High Street safe for local residents.”
Erdington Town Centre and BID Manager, Ed King, also told: “The sale of illegal vapes and smoking related products pose a real threat to people’s health – as well as the potential for children to access products legitimate and ethical business would not sell to them.
“Any business on Erdington High Street selling illegal products must stop or be forced to stop. It’s that simple.”
They added: “Operation Fearless showed what robust policing in the area can achieve, but when they left some of the problems started to return – with no effective strategy in place for the local team.
“Although, thankfully, Erdington’s new Sargeant [Sgt Millard] is now in post and has been rebuilding a strong Neighbourhood Police Team – cracking skulls and just getting on with the job.
“Erdington BID, working alongside Councillor Alden and Councillor Moore, will do everything to support Sgt Millard and her team – and we hope West Midlands Police are prepared to do the same.”
(l-r) Erdington Neighbourhood Police Seargent Millard, Town Centre Manager Ed King, Erdington BID events team and Community Market stall holders / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
Directors of M1 Shisha Shop Ltd and A1 Shisha Shop Ltd, both registered at Companies House as retailers with the trading address 280 High Street Erdington, were issued with the official closure order.
Two Directors of Starborn International Limited, a property firm based in West London, were also issued with the closure order – alongside two further individuals, one based in Great Barr and one in Erdington.
A fire that ransacked three bungalows on Tangmere Drive in Castle Vale yesterday has put two local residents in hospital.
Both initially attended to at the scene by ambulance crews a man was treated for a “medical incident” whilst a woman was also treated for “potentially serious injuries”, before being dispatched for hospital care.
No further casualties were reported, and it is believed the two people conveyed for hospital care are in a stable condition.
At around 1:15pm on Thursday 13 August, fire was seen coming out of the front of a bungalow on Tangmere Drive, before quickly spreading to the two neighbouring premises.
Local residents called the emergency services, who attended the scene and quickly controlled the blaze before it spread further.
Fire at Tangmere Drive bungalows / Images supplied by local residents
The properties are owned and managed by The Pioneer Group, Castle Vale’s largest social landlord with over 2500 residential homes in its portfolio.
In a public statement issued at 5:25pm on the day of the fire, The Pioneer Group stated their “staff have been on site supporting those affected” and asked for “members of the public to avoid the area if possible.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service told Castle Vale Local: “We were called to a fire on Tangmere Drive in Castle Vale, Birmingham at 1.24pm and sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a critical care paramedic to the scene.
“On arrival, crews found a man who was treated for a medical incident and conveyed to hospital. A woman was also treated for potentially serious injuries and was also conveyed to hospital.”
Fire Service responsing to blaze at Tangmere Drive bungalows / Images supplied by local residents
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service added: “Shortly after 1.20pm on Thursday (13 August), we responded to Bond Drive, Castle Vale, Birmingham.
“Five fire engines and two brigade response vehicles attended, arriving to find a house fire in a single-storey terraced bungalow. The fire had spread to two neighbouring properties.
“Two casualties were treated by paramedics at the scene. Police colleagues attend to assist with traffic management.
“Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and at present, one fire engine remains in attendance damping down hotspots.”
Damaged roof at one of the bungalows on Tangmere Drive / Photograph supplied by local resident
Occurring on one of the hottest days on record, the fire at the residential properties came only a few weeks before a suspected arson attack saw a large part of Castle Vale Meadows destroyed – with police believing the dried out nature reserve was deliberately set alight.
The cause of the fire at the Tangmere Drive properties has yet to be confirmed.
Castel Vale landlords, The Pioneer Group, further asked for “people to avoid speculation” whilst the incident is investigated by the responsible authorities
Fire destroys bungalows on Tangmere Drive, Castle Vale – footage supplied by local residents
On Friday 14 August, Northside Welcome Centre will celebrate 20 years of community support and services.
Located at 176 Streetly Road, Stockland Green, the local community hub runs a varied programme of activities to encourage social inclusion, positive health and wellbeing, and learning new skills.
The weekly calendar hosts sessions including exercise classes, advice surgeries, walking groups, coffee mornings, arts and crafts and computer skills workshops.
Through funding from the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS), which supports many community groups and projects across the constituency, Northside Welcome Centre has also recently launched a Cooking Club – where a professional chef will lead workshops on how to prepare food that helps challenge arthritis and inflammation.
Promotional poster for Cooking Club at Northside Welcome Centre
The Cooking Club will run alongside a series of weekly session giving advice on how to manage arthritis and promoting good joint health – as well as a regular gentle movement class to encourage suppleness and mobility.
Held on Tuesdays and Thursday, the new programmes are being promoted as part of Northside’s ‘Move well, eat well, live well’ project – with all activities funded by the ENNS.
Launched in 2006 by Sikh Nari Manch UK, Northside Welcome Centre grew from the registered charity’s work supporting women in the local Sikh community.
Craft and knitting session at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre
Sikh Nari Manch UK was founded in 1998 by Bibi Gurdev Kaur OBE, but built the Northside Welcome Centre so it could operate a wider network of support and services for all faiths and genders.
A spokesperson from Northside Welcome Centre told: “Since opening Northside Welcome Centre in 2006, we have been proud to provide a welcoming space for local people, offering activities, friendship, wellbeing support and opportunities to bring our community together.”
They added: “Over the past 20 years, thousands of local residents have benefited from the Centre and we are looking forward to celebrating this journey with our volunteers, Centre users, supporters, partners and funders.”
Computer and digital skills session at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre
The 20-year anniversary celebration on 14 August will take a look at the centre’s two decades of support, with special recognition of Northside’s volunteers and supporters.
There will also be live Indian classical music and Tabla, as well as a special lunch for invited guests.
(l-r) Paulette Hamilton and Keir Starmer at Tia’s Hair Salon on York Rd, Erdington – on the campaign trail for the 2022 Parliamentary by-election / Erdington Local archives
The recent Local Elections in May saw Labour lose six local councillors across the Erdington constituency and get propelled out of power across the wider city – with many blaming a toxic national brand and blind hate for anyone wearing a red rosette.
The once safe labour seat was now, on a local level, overwhelmingly represented by Reform UK. And on the doorsteps, it seems the public ire was aimed at one politician – Sir Keir Starmer.
Erdington Local sat down with Paulette Hamilton MP to ask just how bad it has become for Labour and why she was so publicly vocal about the need for change at the top.
Paulette Hamilton MP looks tired, sounds tired, and is hastily eating lunch on the go as we sit down to discuss the thrashing the Labour candidates in her constituency took at the recent Local Election – which saw several longstanding Labour seats go over to the new kids on the block.
An hour behind schedule, she’s been at “big roundtable in [Birmingham] City Centre looking at supported exempt accommodation” – an issue that often dominates both public and political discourse in the city – and is “not in Parliament today because I am, as I’ve always said, I’m more interested in the local things.”
Breakdown of Birmingham City Council seats won in May ’26 Local Election
And it would be pertinent to be present in Erdington right now, for a Labour MP. In May, mirroring results from across the country, Reform UK smashed down Erdington’s red wall to take all the ward seats in Oscott, Kingstanding, Pype Hayes, and Perry Common, and one in Stockland Green. A tough night for Erdington Constituency Labour Party (CLP), no doubt.
And in her own patch, this Labour MP now has only two of her own party as elected officials: Cllr Ray Goodwin on Castle Vale and Cllr Mick Brown in Gravelly Hill. Both whom carried themselves through with fiercely fought for local support, winning despite of their national party.
“I’m a bit of a hands-on MP,” begins Paulette Hamilton, explaining her own experiences on the campaign trail, in both the recent Local Elections and the last General Election. “I don’t just send people out to do things I won’t do myself. And I’ll start by prefacing everything I’m going to say. I really like Sir Keir Starmer.”
You can sense what’s coming. But the rumbling beneath the surface back in 2024 seems to have erupted into something much more unpleasant in 2026.
Local election count at Utilita Arena / Photograph by Ed King
“We noticed it during the General Election” continues Hamilton. “People were saying, yes, they would give us a chance, but they don’t like our leader. And what we were finding [during the campaign for the Local Elections] was in areas like Castle Vale, Kingstanding, in Erdington, and other places, people started talking about national issues at the door.
“So at the door, we were getting national issues, not local ones. And it all ended with – we don’t like your leader. Some people were literally slamming the door in my face.
“In Oscott [the Labour candidates] had a really difficult time. It was all about immigration. They don’t want the boat people, the black people. I had people at doors. saying to me, are you black? Where are you from?”
Image from Adobe Stock Images
Paulette Hamilton became Birmingham’s first ever Black MP, coming comfortably first across the finish line in the 2022 by-election, triggered by the untimely death of Jack Dromey MP.
“Where is your mum from? Where is your grandmother from?” continues Hamilton, describing the racism she experienced ahead of the May elections. “And when I said the Caribbean [they said] well, you’re not British then.
“You’re not white. You’re not white. You’re not… your family history doesn’t come from England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales. And this is what your party is about.”
Abhorrent, no question. But how different was this to campaigning for the Parliamentary seat in 2022 or 2024, when it was about national issues?
“Much more hostile, but it was definitely on national issues. Don’t get me wrong, [people] talked about the bin strike, which was relatable. They talked about Birmingham being bankrupt. But you’d have expected to hear far more of that, considering it was [a Local Election].
“And everything was being blamed on Labour, even though Labour had only been in power for 18 months. And it was all our fault.”
(l-r) Keir Starmer and Paulette Hamilton at press conference in Erdington during 2022 by-election / Erdington Local Archives
There is little doubt that the political landscape has changed, with more popularist parties – both left and right leaning – gaining momentum and seats in the House. And with such vitriol for the leader of your party, as Hamilton admits “we were going to lose” at the next General Election.
“If I hadn’t experienced it, I wouldn’t have believed it could have happened,” adds Hamilton, “but I knew the Labour Party was headed in the wrong direction.
“We’d got the policies, we’ve got the people, but unfortunately the public have stopped… had stopped listening to us and we needed a reset.”
And that reset came, eventually, after an increasing number of Labour stalwarts began to come out and call for Keir Starmer to lay out a timeline for his resignation – the message, received sometimes so aggressively on the doorstep, was clear. A change was needed at the top.
(l-r) Keir Starmer and Paulette Hamilton meet CLP members on Erdington High Street during 2022 by-election campaign / Erdington Local archives
Paulette Hamlton took several interviews on high profile national news outlets, being very clear that Sir Keir needed to go. As risky move for a backbencher, but “I just knew that I had got nothing to lose at that point” she explains.
“I was always going out and I was always spouting the party lines,” continues Hamilton. “But it came to a point where I had to look at my constituency… I had got an Asian part of my constituency that had disengaged. They’d just disengaged with Keir Starmer, the Labour Party, the whole lot.
“Black community stayed at home, disengaged, because Derek (Douglas, who lost the race for the Stockland Green Ward by one vote to Reform’s Manni Butt) would have won that seat if the Black community had engaged enough, right?
Cllr Manni Butt at Utilita Arena after winning Stockland Green Ward by one vote / Photograph by Ed king
“White communities split to hell between reform, Labour, Greens, left, right. And then we’d got a leader that was just carrying on and not listening to what was going on out in the country. And I just felt I’m of an age where I can either carry on hoping for some big Cabinet position that was never going to come, or I can be true to what residents are saying to me.”
Backs against the wall, perhaps. And whilst the very public move, and being one of the first to make it, may have garnered Paulette Hamilton “a lot of hugs” from some in Westminster, she hasn’t got “Andy’s (Burnam) number in my phone book or been promised some position”.
“[People in Erdington] need to feel that the voices they are hearing, they can trust,” adds Hamiton. “They need to feel better that they are… They’re getting the change that they were promised. They’re getting the finances in their pocket. They feel better when they wake up compared to when they went to bed. They have seen improvements in the area where they live.”
And now that the King is dead, and the national Labour Party is on the cusp of crowning another, does our battle weary Erdington MP believe the gamble paid off?
“I actually do. And I have… you’ll be the first to know, but I have nominated [Andy Burnham. This man has done 20 odd years in Parliament. He went to Greater Manchester and learned those skills that sometimes parliamentarians haven’t got. And that is local community and what local communities need.
“And when you combine all those skills and plus his personality… He doesn’t forget a name. You know, he really is a people’s person. And I think it shines.”
This year, we have launched our Safer Towns Summer initiative, and in Erdington this includes efforts being stepped up to reduce violence and anti-social behaviour, tackle town centre crime, solve problems, and provide visible reassurance.
We know that you feel safest when you can see our officers out and about, and understand the work that is being done to protect the community.
The initiative is running until the end of September, and we’ll be keeping you updated as it progresses.
Safer Towns Summer isn’t about introducing something new; it’s about sharing more of an insight into the work that happens every day, in Erdington and across the West Midlands, to reassure that we’re listening to your concerns and acting on your behalf.
Sign at the entrance to Erdington Town Centre by Six Ways Island / Photograph by Ed King
With warm weather, longer days, and lighter nights, we know that issues around anti-social behaviour continues to cause concern for residents, and our patrols will take action against that, as well as drug-dealing, and street drinking.
We’re also working closely with local businesses, as we understand the impact that retail crime has on them. By working with them, we hope that we can tackle crime like shop theft and keep retail workers safe.
We’re also working closely with our partners to directly address some of the causes of this crime and build on the work of dedicated local neighbourhood officers.
We’ll keep you up to date on our social media channels and WMNow as we work to make our area the safest and best place it can be.
Erdington Town Centre sign by Six Ways Island / Photograph by Ed King
Ed’s note… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper, out on shelf from 18 June.
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Words by Ed King – Erdington Town Centre Manager
After taking over as Town Centre Manager in March 2025, I spent the first six months meeting with the local Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) and officers from Operation Fearless.
It was an exciting time, with high profile policing in Erdington Town Centre and extensive media coverage about the impact the near million-pound police initiative was making.
And it was working, too.
Operation Fearless team on Erdington High Street during initial launch – Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
But as a rising balloon gets higher in the sky, the easier it can burst. And with a loud pop and dull thud, once the team left Erdington all the good work achieved by Operation Fearless came hurtling back to earth. £880,000 to disrupt the problem. Or move it from Iceland to Borsch Electrical.
So, excitement turned to frustration. Then anger, as I watched revolving door sergeants and inspectors leave no visible strategy, or police officers, on the ground. And for the next six months I had more meetings, and more frustration, mostly ending in the words: “…just do your job.”
Now I don’t know how to run a police force as much as I know how to fly a plane, which (you should know before taking your seat) I don’t. At all. We’d crash before take off.
(l-r) Street Pastor talking to Designated Nieghbourhood Officer on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King
But what I meant was the answer – to me, and to the entire retail, consumer, and residential community in Erdington Town Centre – was simple. Regular, physical, uniformed, and active police presence on Erdington High Street.
Building a network and building trust. Doing their job. Or rather, being left alone, and in place, to do their job continuously. Simple.
And whilst I don’t know how many annual salaries the cost of Operation Fearless could have paid for, I do know without an effective handover to the NPT it counted for nothing.
Sergeant Millard (far left) with members of Erdington BID and local stall holders at Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ilona Zielinska
I also know, have met, and have seen doing their job, we have some excellent officers working the Erdington patch. The problem is they’re seldom left there for long, and after a list of false starts and promises from those above them you start to switch off.
Then, after the second sergeant in under a year had signed up and signed off, I got a call from Detective Chief Inspector Askew – a copper’s copper who led Operation Fearless, and one of the only boys in blue I still allowed myself to trust.
“There’s a new sergeant coming to Erdington… give her a chance, you’ll like her. She gets the job done.”
Sergeant Millard (third from left) standing outside St Barnabas Church with of the police and local community stakeholders / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
Ed’s note… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper, out on shelf from 18 June.
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Operation Fearless showed what high impact policing can do, after it launched in Erdington Town Centre in January 2025 and bit off a chunk of crime from the battle-weary High Street.
But since then, the remaining Neighbourhood Police Team has seen a revolving door of officers, sergeants, and inspectors come and go, leaving little but public mistrust and criminal hubris to fill in the void.
Enter Sergeant Claire Millard, who cut her teeth in the London Met and is now heading up Erdington’s local police force.
Erdington Local went for a coffee and a chat with Sgt Millard on Erdington High Street, to find out who she is, how she operates, and why things might once again be starting to change for the better.
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Profile picture of Sergeant Millard / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
Words by Shaun Hand
I meet Sergeant Millard at Oiko’s Café on Erdington High Street, her arrival heralded by high volume banter from two smokers outside The Swan pub across the concourse. Sgt Millard smiles and acknowledges the loud ladies in question, taking it all in her stride, and we sit down with a coffee. Over the background hum of Oiko’s lunchtime trade and the occasional crackly chatter from Sgt Millard’s radio, we start at the beginning.
“I’m from East London, Walthamstow,” she explains, her Estuary accent undented by five years in the Midlands. “And where I grew up, you had two choices: you either did the bad stuff, or you got out…
“I realised quite early on that it was all down to the choices that I made. It didn’t matter what type of environment you grew up in or what your background was, you had the ability to make those choices.”
“And if you saw it through,” she adds, “even in the hardest times, there was always something positive you could do.”
Having considered careers in policing and education, Millard initially pursued the latter, planning to become a secondary school teacher – “If you get people young, you can educate them [and] give them the right advice” – but by the time she went back to college, to re-sit the necessary exams and take an access course, she was a single mother in her late twenties, balancing parenthood and studies with 12 hour shifts as Deputy Manager in a local bookies.
Police from Operation Fearless questioning local man / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
It was a customer in the betting shop who told her about the Metropolitan Police’s then-latest recruitment drive, and despite having secured a university place to study in Canterbury, Claire Millard decided to apply for a place on the force. And she got in.
“I’ve found my hands are less tied [as a police officer] and I can be more honest,” she says of her deciding to channel her passion for helping young people through policing. “And they can relate to that. I can say to somebody, ‘If you want to end up in custody, carry on. But talk to me to like a human being, and we’re going to walk away from this and forget about it.’”
After seven-and-half years of working for the Met in Barking & Dagenham, as a schools officer and responding to 999 calls, Millard relocated to the West Midlands, working on complex investigations at West Bromwich before being promoted again to her current position as the Sergeant responsible for Erdington’s Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT), which she took up in January this year.
As well as getting up to speed on what her predecessors had put in place, or not, the now Sgt Millard said she also had to learn “how best to reach the local community. What to do and what not to do, which is key in a place like [Erdington].”
“Partnership work is key here, too,” tells Sgt Millard, who has already established more of a relationship with local stakeholders than both of her predecessors combined – according to those we speak to. “Most people want Erdington to be a nice place, a safe place. Somewhere you could not just come and grab something and run off again, but actually spend time here: sit outside, have a coffee, meet friends.”
Police car attending crime scene / Photograph by Ed King
An admirable approach to neighbourhood policing, and one that – on paper at least – would seem to work. But the tacit implication is that despite a well-publicised investment of £880,000 and double dose of Operation Fearless, alongside other promises that failed to materialise (the fabled ‘High Street Police Team’ being one) people in Erdington Town Centre still don’t feel able to do those things.
So, what does the area’s new police sergeant see as the reasons, and the answers?
“Unfortunately, the High Street has its…” She pauses.
While our conversation generally flows freely, a chat straying into everything from ‘90s reggae to the Irish spelling of names, Sergeant Millard becomes very considered when answering questions about her approach to policing in Erdington.
“I don’t like to say that it’s the homelessness or the street drinking, because those people are vulnerable within themselves. But sometimes… the loud music puts people off; [As well as] the kids, and adults, on bikes or e-scooters.”
And of what happened before Sgt Millard caame into post, she admits, “Operation Fearless leaving left a massive gap”, but also that, “Them coming back [in April 2026], and introducing the Neighbourhood Team the way I’ve done, has hopefully built more confidence back.
“But we need to hold that now. We need to show what we’re doing is going to work.”
(l-r_ Street Pastor talking to Designated Nieghbourhood Officer on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King
The impression Sgt Millard gives, from her working-class background, her passion for education and helping young people, and her approach to local policing, is that she’s not a mandarin – full of well-meaning theory, but no real-world experience.
But nor is she a Clint Eastwood type, riding in to ruthlessly clean up the town on her own. She’s far more pragmatic and community minded.
“This High Street’s got to be about all of us,” she explains. “We (the police) can uphold the law and we can get involved, but we need to make this a better place for everybody, and it’s going to take all of us to do that.
“Teenagers are welcome to be here [as long as they’re] respectful about it. And that again comes down to education.”
Sergeant Millard is full of praise for local groups in the area too, particularly the Erdington Street Pastors, Erdington Litter Busters, and the Erdington Business Improvement District.
“There are so many people here that want to make a positive difference,” she adds, before coming back to how, under her watch, the police going to play their part.
“We want to create the Street Watch again,” continues Sgt Millard, “where we get some of the High Street owners involved. I think there was one, but it hasn’t [continued], and I don’t know if that’s through lack of trying or just lack of interaction.
“But we now have a Dedicated Neighbourhood Officer (DNO) just for the High Street who’s willing and able to do whatever he can to get things up and running.”
Erdington Police Station / Photograph by Ed King
And what about the old-fashioned ‘boots on the ground’ style of policing so many yearn for? “That’s on my wish list,” she responds firmly. “What I would really like is to have [at least] two officers visible on the High Street, Thursday through to Sunday, ten ‘til six. Just so there are two bobbies [always on patrol] at the busiest time.”
At the moment, however, Sergeant Millard believes her Neighbourhood Police Team are three officers short. “I’ve got vacancies I’m hoping to fill,” she explains, wanting to get officers on the High Street in time for the six-week school holidays.
And whilst funding is usually the biggest stumbling block in local police teams, and Sgt Millard accepts “the world’s a different place now”, there is still hope West Midlands Police higher ups will agree securing the legacy of Operation Fearless is worth the investment.
And some things do stay the same, Sgt Millard’s common-sense approach to community policing being one of them.
Police patroling Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
“It’s not rocket science,” she says. “It really isn’t. It’s about having bobbies on the street; somebody you can turn to. You know their name and if you have a problem, you can speak to them. You haven’t got to go through 111.
“Obviously, if it’s an emergency dial 999. But if you have a worry or a concern, you know that Andy (PC Boyle, one of Erdington’s DNOs) is going to be on your street or in the community hub, and you can pop your head in and say, ‘I’ve had this happen; it’s slightly worrying.’ And you can get advice on what to do next.’”
After an hour’s honest conversation, and continued radio chatter, Sgt Millard’s phone also pipes up. Her advice is needed on an ongoing case. “I’ve got a lot to do,” she admits of her new role. as she rings off and gets ready to head back to Erdington Police Station.
“But if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly.”
Sergeant Millard (far left) standing outside Creative and Community Hub on Erdingotn High Street – with members of Erdingotn BID and local stall holders at Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
PICTURE GALLERY: Policing in Erdington Town Centre – from the launch of Operation Fearless to present day / Photographs by Ed King, West Midlands Police, and supplied by various local stakeholders
Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) are inviting local residents and families to Spring into Summer, as their annual community festival returns to Perry Common on Saturday 13 June.
Held between 12noon and 3pm on ‘the ring’ – the municipal circular parkland on Witton Lodge Road – the community event is free to enter, with some activities charged at only £1.
Full of family friendly fun, the summer festival will host a range of children’s games and activities – including a super slide and a bouncy castle.
Super slide at previous Spring into Summer Festival / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Special ‘learn to ride’ sessions will also be held on the paths within the parkland, teaching young people how to cycle and encouraging them to find their feet – on two wheels.
Young David Attenbououghs and Jane Goodalls will also have the chance to get up close to nature and explore the world of ‘Mini Beasts’ in the ‘Bug and Insect Corner’ – introducing children to the natural world that crawls around under their feet.
Stalls at previous Spring into Summer Festival / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Local services will also be present, offering advice and guidance to local residents – alongside a chance to explore a real life fire engine and police vehicle with members of the local police and fire service also engaging with public at the event.
Held every year, the Spring into Summer Festival is a family favourite on the Perry Common calendar – attended by hundreds of people from across the local area and beyond.
Organised by WLCA, who run the neighbouring Perry Common Community Hall, the annual event is part of a year round programme of events and support services from the Perry Common based community and housing association.
Local crafts at previous Spring into Summer Festival / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Paul Tse, Flourishing Communities Development Officer at WLCA, told: “Spring into Summer has become one of our community’s best loved traditions so it’s a great pleasure for us to be able to bring it back again for people to enjoy.
“It brings people together in a way which celebrates the wonderful community spirit we have here in Perry Common.”
He added: “As always, we are thankful for the support and hard work of our fantastic partners, St Martin’s Church, The Friends of Witton Lakes, Urban Devotion Birmingham and The Net Pentecostal Church, for helping to put the event together.”
For more on WLCA and links to their wider programme of events and services visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk
Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
The head of the of the Birmingham Liberal Democrats group, Cllr Roger Harmer (Acocks Green), was voted in as Leader of Birmingham City Council at a Full Council meeting yesterday.
Convening in the Council chamber at 6pm on 5 June, all 101 councillors from across the city were invited to attend and vote for the individual they wanted to take up the top job – which brings with it a special Responsibility Allowance of £56,579 on top of the Basic Allowance granted to all councillors of £19,952.
The vote for Council leader was called after no party managed to secure a majority in the recent Local Elections held in May 2026, with no majority coalition subsequently formed.
Official prepare to vote for city leader in Birmingham Council Chamber / Photograph by Ed King
Cllr Harmer was nominated by Birmingham Green Party leader, Cllr Julien Pritchard (Druids Heath & Monyhull), as part of a minority coalition between the two parties and independent councillors from the Better Birmingham Independent Group.
Also nominated, by members of their own parties, were the leader of the Birmingham Local Conservatives Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington) and the leader of the Birmingham Reform UK group Cllr Jex Parkin (Kingstanding).
Following the nominations, a 20 minute recess was taken before the three candidates were allowed five minutes to address the chamber and deliver a speech as to why they would be right person to form a Cabinet and lead the city’s elected officials.
Cllr Roger Harmer addresses chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
Speaking in the order they were nominated, Cllr Harmer was the first to address the chamber, presenting a “coalition built on partnership” and asking those present to allow him to establish a Cabinet that would “put right the failures of the past” – seemingly referring to the 14 year long Labour run administration which ended with the city effectively declaring bankruptcy and an unresolved bin strike.
Addressing the city’s elected official next was Cllr Robert Alden, who began by declaring Birmingham “the greatest city in the world” before reminding the room and those hoping to govern that “just blaming the failures of the last 14 years will not be accepted” by the city’s residents.
Cllr Robert Alden addresses chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
Cllr Alden further warned against the “frankly geographical [political] spilt across the city” following the recently Council elections, which saw concentrations of elected councillor from both political parties and independents in certain areas of Birmingham.
“None of us have a majority,” added Cllr Alden, “and no one over the next four years [until the next Council elections] should forget that.”
Cllr Alden’s speech received applause from across the Birmingham Council Chamber.
Last to address the room was the recently appointed head of Birmingham’s Reform UK group, Cllr Jex Parkin, who leads the lion’s share of Birmingham’s elected officials – overseeing 23 councillors, four more than Birmingham’s Green Party which sits as the second political group in the city.
Cllr Jex Park sits with Birmingham Reform councillors in Birmingham Council Chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
After describing how Birmingham is still “deciding how we interpret on of the most significant results”, which also saw the Birmingham Labour Party lose 48 councillors, Cllr Parkin called for “co-operation across all political boarders” and warned against a “chaotic coalition of musical chairs.”
Leader of both the largest and newest political party in the city, Cllr Parkin closed his argument by listing the attributes that Birmingham Reform councillors could bring to their potential governorship of the city, and declaring “life experience beats political experience each and every time.”
Councillors present were then asked to voice their votes for the Council Leader, a process which had been postponed after the previous Full Council meeting in May ran out of time due to the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor Zaker Choudhry.
After the results were counted, Cllr Roger Harmer won with a clear majority of 40 votes – against 19 votes for Cllr Robert Alden and 18 votes for Cllr Jex Parkin.
Birmingham City Council House, as viewed behind Heras fencing / Photgraph by Ed King
Analysis of the results showed that the Liberal Democrats and Green Party has used their party whips effectively, retaining support from all their elected officials – alongside those from the Better Birmingham Independent Group.
The Birmingham Local Conservatives group also received votes from all its 16 councillors, alongside additional support from independents Cllr Amar Khan (Stockland Green) and Rinkal Shergill (Holyhead).
Birmingham’s Reform UK party however only received 18 votes from its body of 23 councillors, with their recently elected Kingstanding Councillor Graham Green absent from the meeting.
Of the last two remaining Labour councillors in the Erdington constituency, Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale) abstained and Cllr Mick Brown (Gravelly Hill) was absent.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also received one vote, although it was not officially counted in the final results.
Elderflower Care Home are inviting families and potential residents to have a first look at their new facility on Orphanage Road in a special ‘Open weekend’ this weekend.
Guided tours of the grounds and facilities will be held between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June, with no obligations or costs attached.
Visiting members of the public also invited to join enjoy complimentary refreshments during their tour, including freshly baked cakes by Elderflower’s own chef.
Click here to make a booking to view the facility over the ‘Open weekend’, or contact Elderflower Grange directly by calling (0121) 756 8225 or emailing: rachel.mackay@careuk.com
Landscaped gardens at Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road / Image suppiled by Care UK
Recently opened, the new 77 bedroom care home sits amongst landscaped surroundings and has its own onsite accessible bar, restaurant, cinema room, hair salon, multi faith room, music room, and a special reminiscence room.
Operated by the award winning Care UK, Elderflower Grange is the newest facility in the region from the longstanding care home provider – which also operates Bishop’s Manor and Mercia Grange in neighbouring Sutton Coldfield, both boasting a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
A spokesperson for Elderflower Care Home told: “Elderflower Grange is a brand new, purpose-built care home in Erdington. Our dedicated and experienced team will provide a full range of care services with the flexibility to meet every need.”
Cafe at Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road / Image suppiled by Care UK
They added: “We pride ourselves on the transparency of our care quality and fee information – ensuring you can trust us to care from that very first step.”
Situated at 86 Orphanage Rd, Erdington, Elderflower Care Home offers residential care for over 65s – alongside extra special care for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
The facility also offers respite and convalescence care, for short term stays and supporting people coming out of hospital, as well as palliative and end of life care.
Lounge area at Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road / Image suppiled by Care UK
Elderflower Care Home is operated by Care UK, which started out as Anglia Secure Homes in 1982 and changed its name to Care UK in 1994. One of the largest housing and residential care providers in the country, Care UK run over 160 care home across the UK – including
In 2025, Care UK was recognised by winning over 30 industry awards both nationally and regionally, including ‘Care Home Group (Large)’ at the 2025 National Care Awards for the second year running.
Landscaped gardens at Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road / Image suppiled by Care UK
The organisation was also the winner of both the Nursing Times and Caring UK awards in 2023, and was recognised by the Care Home Awards ‘gold winner’ in their ‘Outstanding Larger Group Care Provider’ category.
Elderflower Grange will further be celebrating their official launch event on Thursday 2 July, with local legend and Aston Villa football star Tony Morely as the event’s special guest.
