Words by Afzal Hussain – Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA)
WLCA Chief Executive Afzal Hussain outside Health and Wellbeing Hub on Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King
We recently celebrated three successful years on Erdington High Street, delivering essential services to more than 7,000 residents from our Health & Wellbeing Hub.
Despite recent news of safety concerns at this location, this doesn’t reflect our first-hand experience, and we are proud that the Erdington Health and Wellbeing Hub continues to be a cornerstone of community support, offering vital services in health, employment, housing, and financial advice.
In 2021, Witton Lodge Community Association made a strategic decision to take on the empty High Street facility. By investing and expanding our services over the years, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to drive positive change on the High Street and for the Erdington community. And as many of you will know we followed this up with ambitious plans to refurbish the former Erdington baths.
In another significant development, West Midlands Police has launched Operation Fearless, a major initiative to tackle crime and improve safety in Erdington.
This operation, funded by £880,000 seized from criminals, targets issues such as drug-related activities, anti-social behaviour, and violent crimes with the dedicated team already bringing tangible improvements to community safety.
Together with local residents, groups and partners, we remain committed to improving lives and livelihoods in Erdington. By working collaboratively, we know we can create a safer, more vibrant Erdington where our community can succeed and thrive.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Operation Fearless team on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
Erdington High Street has been known as a crime hotspot for several years, with endemic shoplifting underpinning broad daylight drug dealing and a rouges gallery of anti-social behaviour.
But it used to be different, very different. It used to be known as one of Birmingham’s most vibrant retail hubs, with thousands of confident shoppers and respected national brands clamouring for frontage.
Now West Midlands Police have launched Operation Fearless and are set to invest over 20 new officers and £880,000 to tackle criminality on and around Erdington High Steet.
Erdington Local attended the maiden voyage of this ambitious new policing strategy, asking just what impact it hopes to make in the once proud and prominent Erdington Town Centre.
Chief Constable Craig GUildford outside official launch of Operation Fearless at Villa Park / Pic by Ed King
“We’ve only been up and running since the end of November and we’ve already banned two prolific shoplifters,” explains West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford, standing on the sun warmed steps of Villa Park at the official launch of Operation Fearless – a slow tide of media and local partners drifting into the conference room below.
“It’s already working quite well and on the back of the prosecutions, with the support of the Crown Prosecution Service, we’ve got a court order which bans [the shoplifters] from the High Street. Now that’s a really good success.”
Chief Constable Guildford is a no-nonsense copper, with a calm and authoritative air, and a look that would not be out of place in a Sergio Leone Western. After becoming the region’s top police officer he reportedly broke up a fight on Bearwood High Street whilst off duty getting a coffee.
Guildford was brought into post in December 2022, appointed by Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, with a mandate to bring back robust community policing, and terms like ‘working with local partners’ and ‘local police presence’ have peppered documents that have come from his office ever since.
Promotional flyers for Operation Fearless / Pic by Ed King
Indeed, the first-person introduction to the West Midlands Police Neighbourhood Policing Ambition strategy, which sets the local operations aims until 2026, states how ‘affinity and pride in local teams helps us tackle criminality’ before confirming they will ‘listen to and work with the public, partners, voluntary groups… to protect local people and places.’
But Erdington High Street has been arguably a failed case study in community cohesion, with revolving door Sergeants and stripped back public patrols doing little to quell the growing frustration of both local residents and business. And even less to reduce the crime statistics, which UKCrimeStats places at one of the worst in Birmingham – beaten only by Ladywood, Hodge Hill, and Perry Barr.
And the apathy in reporting crimes, especially from the frustrated at best and frightened at worst retailers on the High Street, could nudge these numbers even higher, with many calling for the reopening of the Erdington Police Station front desk and giving up on their unanswered calls to the 101 and 999 emergency numbers.
Promotional vehicles at official launch of Operation Fearless / Pic by Ed King
It’s a problem across the region, and Chief Constable Guildford admits when he took on his role West Midlands Police were “very poor at answering the telephone, compared to lots of police forces.” Around the same time, prominent Erdington retailers were reporting being on hold for up to an hour when trying to report crimes by calling 101.
Thankfully, the average response time for WMP call handlers has dramatically improved, with 101 at 10 seconds and an almost immediate pick up for 999 emergency calls.
Proud of this “radical shift”, Chief Constable Guildford further urges people to “get the phone picked up, let us know, or stop one of the bobbies that are walking past.” The equation is simple, he says: “We need to know what’s happening to be able to act on it; we’ve got the resources to do it, and we want to be doing it more and more.”
“But first and foremost,” he continues, when quizzed about the arrest to prosecution ratio many retailers feel has also waned on Erdington High Street, “there has to be a consequence; if you prolifically shoplift, you need to be going to court, and the courts need to be determining your future.” And cue the quote used in our headline.
Police car with Operation Skybridge branding parked opposite Erdington Train Station / Pic by Ed King
Operation Fearless officially launched on Tuesday 7 January, but it’s team of 20 officers – who have been recruited, according to WMP, for their “very diverse skill set” – have been operating for several weeks. Indeed, the Sutton Coldfield and Erdington Chief Inspector, Shameem Ahmed, was seconded to give the new policing initiative some valuable local knowledge.
But why now, and why Erdington? “I think it’s probably fair to say I’ve been to Erdington High Street more than any other high street in the entirety of the West Midlands,” tells Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, mirroring a point Erdington Local is often quick to make too.
“I’ve attended resident’s meetings, I’ve been on Erdington High Street with the Street Pastors, with West Midlands Police, with [Erdington Local], and attended numerous resident’s meetings. So, I’ve listened; I’ve heard about the challenges and the impact that the crime and anti-social behaviour on Erdington High Street has had and today is about taking the action that is necessary to address those issues.”
But really, why now? What has been the tipping point to push for this extra policing attention in Erdington Town Centre?
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster outside official launch of Operation Fearless at Villa Park / Pic by Ed King
“In terms of ensuring we can launch Operation Fearless immediately I am investing nearly a million pounds of proceeds of crime – seized from criminals,” explains Foster, identifying the curious irony of modern day police funding, that raids made from one end of the High Street will fuel patrols at the other. And if the proceeds of crime cookie jar was always within reach, are we not a little late with our sticky fingers?
But as Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton states at the opening of her speech, to a room of around 150 delegates from local community groups, stakeholders, referral agencies, and citywide partners, “Thank God. We’ve got a New Year [and] we’ve finally got some [police] work going on in Erdington that is so, so, so overdue… high streets are the heartbeats of communities, and if we don’t have our high street, we lose our community.”
And about three miles north of the high-ranking officials and back slapping hyperbole, sits Erdington High Street – the wounded animal stuck in a poacher’s trap.
Police and Operation Fearless branded van on Erdington High Street / Pic by Joe Marchant
For those of you who don’t know, and to remind those may find it hard to remember, Erdington Town Centre was once one of the busiest retail hubs in Birmingham – boasting national brands from Woolworth to Marks and Spencer and thousands of confident shoppers. A fall from grace that makes today an even sadder reality.
But since October last year, when Operation Skybridge set the foundations for Operation Fearless to build on, the High Street both looks and feels better. And areas where you could once buy everything from weed to crack, in the doorway of a family supermarket, are now empty, with the dealers not just moved but gone completely.
“I have noticed the difference so much it’s unbelievable” tells Averil Keatley, who volunteers at St Barnabas Church where many of the aforementioned drug deals (and indeed drug use) would take place. “You could go over to the bookies and you’d get stoned as you’d walk past. But that’s cleared up now.”
She adds: “I do not feel as intimidated. I haven’t noticed as many syringes either (in the St Barnabas churchyard).”
Erdington local resident Averil Keatley outside St Barnabas Church on Erdington High Street / PIc by Ed King
Further down the High Street, Elaine from Everyone Erdington is leaving the library and heading out into the Town Centre. “They’re really putting a lot of effort in,” she exclaims, also acknowledging an increase in police presence over recent months, “and they’ve arrested a lot of people for drug dealing.”
Her friend, Pauline, from Erdington Lunar Society, quickly mirrors the most noticeable change. “Somebody’s just said to me how they’re happy to shop at Iceland again now,” she tells, “because the drug dealers outside there have now gone.”
Extra police presence and working with partners seem to be working, and these simple yet effective first steps are now turning to strides on Erdington High Street. But fanfare can soon become cacophony, with most negative comments about Operation Fearless being veiled concerns as to how it will make any real and lasting impact.
(l-r) Cllr Gareth Moores and Cllr Robert Alden next to Operation Fearless branded van on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by Cllr Alden
“Hopefully [Operation Fearless] can crack down on the serious anti-social behaviour and crime that’s been taking place on the High Street,” tells Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden, who lives with his young family near Erdington Town Centre, sits as Chair of the Erdington Business Improvement District, and has spearheaded the area’s repeated campaigns for a Public Space Protection Order.
“And the key thing is now there’s all these additional officers here is making sure both businesses and residents report any crime that they see… because there are the officers here now to deal with them.”
He adds: “It might be a partial numberplate, it might be a partial description, but [people need to report] it in directly to the police. Because that information will get used and pooled together with other intelligence and enable [the police] to carry out raids, to get warrants, and put people behind bars.”
Sign identifying the boundaries of the Public Space Protection Order in Erdington Town Centre / Pic by Ed King
“Regeneration is key too,” explains Erdington Ward Councillor Gareth Moore, who sits on Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee and watches communities expand and decline across the city. “Because you want businesses to come and invest, to create jobs and a good local economy and thriving local centre – and they’re not going to do that if people don’t feel safe.”
And borrowing some rhetoric from those with less direct knowledge of what Erdington was, is, and could be again, Cllr Moore concludes: “It’s really important we get the crime issues addressed… we don’t want it to be a ‘no-go area for residents’, we want it to be a no-go area for crime.”
Official launch of Operation Fearless at Villa Park and on Erdington High Street 07.01.25 / Pics by Joe Marchant, Ed King, West Midlands Police
Words by Ed King / Pics by Joe Marchant, Ed King, and supplied by West Midlands Police
Operation Fearless team on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
On Tuesday 7 January, West Midlands Police (WMP) launched Operation Fearless with an afternoon of strong police presence on Erdington High Steet – in “a major new drive to bring down crime” across the troubled retail hub.
Starting with a special event at Villa Park, WMP invited Erdington local stakeholders and representatives of community groups to hear from Chief Constable Craig Guildford and Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster about their ambitions to make Erdington High Street a safer place to live, shop, and visit.
Following their presentations, Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton (Labour) expressed her relief and gratitude at the extra police attention, telling around 150 delegates “Thank God, we finally have some [extra police] work going on in Erdington” which she further expressed was “so, so, so overdue.”
Chief Constable Craig Guildford adress delegates at Operation Fearless launch, Villa Park / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police)
The Erdington Ward elected officials, Cllr Robert Alden (Conservative) and Cllr Gareth Moore (Conservative), were also present at the launch and further expressed their appreciation of the increased police activity – having campaigned for years to increase patrols and uniformed presence in Erdington Town Centre.
Operation Fearless states it will work with citywide and hyperlocal partners to reduce crime in the area, including “Birmingham City Council and other agencies such as immigration, bus and rail companies.”
Moving up to the High Street itself, the new police team came out in force for the afternoon – establishing a knife wand and detector pole at Erdington Police Station, and bringing sniffer dogs, drones, horse mounted patrols, and extended foot patrols in a significant show of police presence in the Town Centre.
Officers with knife wand at Erdington Train Station / Pic by Ed King
Following on from Operation Skybridge that launched – again on Erdington High Street – last October, Operation Fearless will see a dedicated team of 20 new officers working in Erdington Town Centre tackling crimes from drug dealing and shoplifting to anti-social behaviour and assault.
Headed by Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, who is known for his work on WMP’s Homicide team, Operation Fearless has so far arrested several people in connection with crimes including drug dealing and burglary.
The special initiative also recently arrested six men for conspiracy to defraud, following a joint operation with Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team where over half a million pound worth of counterfeit and illicit goods were seized form the High Street. The £500,000 plus haul included cigarettes, vapes, and unregulated prescription medication.
Detective Superintendent Jim Munro taking to media at Operation Fearless launch on Erdington High Street / Pic by Joe Marchant
Whilst out with the Operation Fearless police team on Tuesday 7 January, Detective Superintendent Jim Munro told Erdington Local: “We’ve got problems here and now, there’s no two ways about that. Theft, anti-social behaviour, open drug dealing or drug taking… all key things that, quite rightly, concern the community. We know that [Erdington High Street] has also been a hotspot previously for youth violence.
“So those are the things we need to address straight away, and we need to look at those issues and how we look to deter offending. And how we look to reduce that and put people through the criminal process if appropriate.”
He added: “But in terms of bringing back Erdington High Street to the village that it was, we’ve got to work with wider partnerships. It’s wider than the Council. We’ve got to encourage people to reinvest in this area and, quite rightly, people will be reluctant to do that if they feel the area is blighted by anti-social behaviour and crime.
“So our view will be that we will continue to work here in Erdington as long as necessary to hand it into a place, where we feel, it is sustainable.”
Official launch of Operation Fearless at Villa Park and on Erdington High Street 07.01.25
Paulette Hamilton MP attending Remembrance Day event at Abbey Primary School / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 20.12.24)
Last month has been one of celebration, remembrance, and important parliamentary debates. I was delighted to join the 30th anniversary celebrations of Witton Lodge Community Association, a cornerstone of our community.
Their remarkable achievements over three decades are a testament to the strength and power of what local communities can achieve by working together.
On Remembrance Day, I had the privilege of joining Abbey Primary School for a heartfelt ceremony to honour those who gave their lives for our freedoms. Their moving tribute reminded us of the sacrifices that form the foundation of our liberties today.
In Parliament, the Assisted Dying Bill sparked an emotional debate. After much thought, I voted against the Bill, with 70% of the constituents who contacted me urging the same. As a former NHS nurse, I firmly believe in the dignity and value of every life.
Paulette Hamilton MP in Westminster, London / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
I remain deeply concerned about introducing such a law, particularly when our NHS is already overstretched. I am committed to championing improved palliative care, working with Hospice UK, Birmingham Hospice, and others to ensure no one is left without the support they need at the end of life.
November also marked 50 years since the Birmingham Pub Bombings, a heartbreaking chapter in our city’s history. I have written to the Home Secretary, calling for justice for the victims and their families.
As we approach the festive season, I wish everyone in Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
(l-r) Cllr Alden and Cllr Moore at Abbey Church / Pic supplied by Cllr Alden
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 20.12.24)
This month we have been working with officers and the local police to drive the renewal of the Public Space Protection Order for the area around Erdington High Street and, importantly, for more enforcement of it in future.
As we reported in previous columns, the campaigning for more police action locally has resulted in additional officers for Erdington over the last few months, with hopefully more in the new year.
This is starting to pay dividends locally, with the Police teams delivering results. In the last month they have arrested 13 people on the High Street, nine have been charged so far, issued criminal behaviour orders, found 20 positive results from stop and searches and they have seized drugs off 12 people.
We’ve also been fighting to retain the North Birmingham Urgent Care Centre in Erdington since the NHS announced they were looking at closing the site on the High Street. We’ve written to them, raised concerns at the Health Scrutiny Committee and been in various press articles calling for the centre to stay open.
Over Christmas we will be meeting directors from the NHS to put forward our case for the centre staying.
Cllr Gareth Moore and I love this time of year and the wonderful events that the Erdington Community put on to celebrate Christmas. It is an honour to support as many as possible of the wonderful Christmas events local residents host, such as the one at the Abbey Church (pictured).
Notice of application for a Bingo Premises License at 90-92 High St, Erdington / Pic by Ed King
Regional gaming company Shipley Estates Limited, who also trade under the names Shipley’s and Shipley’s Gaming, are looking to relocate one of their Erdington outlets to a larger premises on Erdington High Street.
The Tamworth based company, which has seven premises across the Midlands registered with the Gambling Commission, have applied to Birmingham City Council for a Bingo Premises License allowing them to operate from the old Costa Coffee site at 90-92 High St, Erdington.
Under the Gambling Act 2005, a Bingo Premises License prevents anyone under 18 years of age from visiting the premises and forbids any bingo activity between 12midnight and 9am.
However, according to the UK Gambling Commission it does allow “access to gaming machines”, such as slot machines, with “no restrictions”.
The old Costa Coffee outlet on Erdington High Street / PIc by Ed King
Shipley Estates Limited currently hold two licences for premises on Erdington High Street – as identified by the Gambling Commission UK – and have stipulated that if their application for a Bingo Premises License at 90-92 High Street, Erdington, is successful then their current Adult Gaming Premises License at 243 High Street will be “surrendered”.
However, local residents and officials are concerned the move to a larger premises could bring a rise in anti-social behaviour and negatively increase the gambling provision in an area that already has eight operating outlets.
The growing fears about the rise in gambling and gaming outlets on Erdington High Street have further been magnified as more family focused businesses continue to shut up shop, with the Co-op supermarket being the last to announce it will be leaving the High Street.
Last year, BoyleSports UK won their appeal to open a second gambling outlet on Erdington High Street after Birmingham City Council’s Planning Department initially blocked the application following widespread objections from local residents.
L-R, Cllr Gareth Moore and Cllr Robert Alden on Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King
After hearing about the new Bingo Premises Licence application from Shipley Estate Limited, Cllr Gareth Moore (Erdington Ward, Conservatives) told Erdington Local: “We oppose the application to convert the former Costa unit into a gambling unit, by relocating a store from further down the High St.
“While this is not an increase in the number of units, across the whole High Street, this is replacing a smaller shop with a larger one and so will likely increase the amount of betting machines operating and importantly will also lead to a concentration of gambling shop units in the same location.”
He added: “There is already a betting shop next door and another four doors up, very close to this location and therefore the clustering of gambling units close to each other in the pedestrian part of the High Street could increase ASB and crime”.
Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington Ward, Conservatives) also told us: “Due to this increase in size of the unit, clustering impact on this part of the High Street and the loss of one of the larger retail units left in Erdington High Street.
“We urge residents to object to this application by emailing the [Birmingham] City Council licensing team at [email protected]”.
Notice of application for Bingo Premises License on display at 90-92 High Street, Erdington / Pic by Ed King
Objections to the Bingo Premises License application can be made in writing, via email or standard mail, to Birmingham City Council by 5 December – with anyone who lives “sufficiently close” to the premises or who is “likely to be affected” by the proposed activities on the site invited to make official representations.
Likewise, anyone who has “business interests that might be affected” by the licence is also invited to make representations.
Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
L-R Cllr Gareth Moore and Cllr Robert Alden outside St Barnabas Church / Pic supplied by Cllr Alden
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)
This Remembrance Sunday Cllr Gareth Moore and myself, as we do every year, joined parishioners at St Barnabas Church for their Act of Remembrance and to lay wreaths remembering those who gave their everything so that we could all live free.
We owe so much to those who gave up their lives both during the two world wars and also in other conflicts defending freedom and democracy and we should never forget their sacrifice.
Thank you to everyone across North Birmingham who took part or organised Acts of Remembrance this year.
It is a wonderful testament to our local community here in Erdington that we still have events like Remembrance Sunday and Walk of Witness each year.
Elsewhere this month we have been continuing our campaign to try and save Erdington Library from the bankrupt Labour Council’s attempts to shut down services in suburbs like ours.
Sadly, the Council has now announced a new plan which will see Erdington Library lose a day a week opening time, without any other library in the north gaining that day.
We have been clear to the Council that Erdington Library, as a key part of our High Street and community, should remain open full time. It is a valuable resource for young and old alike helping those without internet or book access, etc to be able to do more.
We will continue to oppose the Labour Council’s slashing of our valuable local resources.
Paulette Hamilton MP for Erdington, BIrmingham, in Westminster / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)
At the end of October, the Chancellor delivered the autumn budget – the first under a Labour government in 14 years. After over a decade of Conservative mismanagement, we’re finally taking steps to rebuild Britain and restore faith in our economy.
This budget focuses on the issues that matter most: fixing the NHS, raising wages, supporting our schools, and strengthening our communities – all without increasing taxes on working people.
So, what does this mean for Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale and South Oscott?
First, the increase in the National Living Wage will benefit thousands locally, putting more money in the pockets of hardworking families.
Our NHS will receive a £25.6 billion boost over the next two years, ensuring more appointments and better care for all. Schools will see a £2.3 billion increase in funding, 6,500 more teachers, and a £30 million investment in free breakfast clubs, ensuring every child starts the day ready to learn.
To tackle crime, we’re ending the neglect of low-value shoplifting and other petty crimes slipping through the cracks.
This budget funds 13,000 more neighbourhood officers and PCSOs, so our streets and local traders – like those at Erdington High Street, Slade Road and Kingstanding Precinct – will be safer. And with £500 million to fix potholes, our roads will finally see the improvements they deserve.
This budget fixes the foundations to deliver change, with working people and local communities at its heart. It’s the reset our economy and country have needed.
Local amateur dramatics company, The Erdington Players, is set to return to the stage this November with their production of Ken Ludwig’s award winning murder mystery play The Game’s Afoot (Holmes for the Holidays).
Running from 13-16 November at the United Reformed Church (URC) on Holly Lane, tickets will be priced at £9 (adults) and £7 (children under 16). Performances will be held at 7:30pm from Wednesday to Friday, with a 2:30pm matinee rounding up the run on the Saturday.
The Erdington Players, which has operated since 1963, has pervious performed family friendly plays and musicals including Goodnight Mister Tom, Peter Pan, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Grease, and is committed to bringing “affordable theatre to the heart of the community.”
The Erdington Players rehearse The Game’s Afoot by Ken Ludwig
Written by renowned American playwright, Ken Ludwig, The Game’s Afoot has kept audiences guessing on both sides of the Atlantic since premiering at the Cleveland Playhouse, Ohio, on 25 November 2011.
The murder mystery tells the story of a famed 1930’s actor, William Gillette, housing a Christmas Eve party for his Sherlock Holmes cast members. But as life imitates art, not all of his festive guests will make it through the night – with Gillette assuming the persona of his on stage detective to solve the case.
The Game’s Afoot was nominated for and won the Edgar Allen Poe Award for ‘Best Play’ following its initial run, with The Erdington Players bringing it across the pond nearly 13 years later to the day.
The show’s director, Colin Bridle, said: “The cast and crew are working hard to deliver The Game’s Afoot, and it’s a fantastic challenge for us to bring such a strong, critically acclaimed script to life.”
The Erdington Players cast of The Game’s Afoot by Ken Ledwig
He added: “This is a show that combines a genuinely gripping ‘whodunnit’ with laugh-out-loud slapstick elements, and we’re sure that our audiences will enjoy watching it as much as we’re enjoying making it.”
While The Erdington Players focus on the upcoming performance, the group has also issued an appeal to the community for help as it looks to recruit new members.
Founded over 60 years ago, The Erdington Players is one of the longest running amateur dramatics companies in the city and want to build both cast and crew to support their aims of two annual productions.
James Cresswell, chairman of The Erdington Players, said: “Delivering quality, affordable community theatre for more than 60 years is a legacy that we’re immensely proud of, and something that we’re keen to continue to offer.
“Our latest production owes everything to the small, passionate group of volunteers that make up our group today.”
He added: “The reality is, however, that we must increase our numbers in order to deliver shows going forward.
“Therefore, we would encourage anyone who would like to join us, whether as a performer, backstage hand, or as a member of our front-of-house team, to get in touch.”
The Erdington Players present The Game’s Afoot at the Erdington United Reformed Church, Holly Lane, from 13-16 November. For a direct link to online ticke sales visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/erdington-the-players
It’s been another busy month across Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale and South Oscott, despite the Parliament recess for conference season.
I have had the opportunity to visit some of our amazing community groups, such as Northside Welcome Centre and Growth Path, who do incredible work supporting local people.
Recently, I held my regular Erdington High Street meeting, where I met with residents, traders, Birmingham City Council representatives, and the police to discuss ongoing efforts to address the issues plaguing Erdington High Street.
During this meeting, I also shared the results of my survey, which highlighted the main concerns of residents and their suggestions for improvements. The full survey results are available on my website – www.paulettehamilton.org
Paulette Hamilton MP at meeting with local police
I am pleased to report that, as part of Operation Skybridge in Erdington, the police have successfully removed drugs from the streets and made several arrests. This is a welcome step forward in our fight against crime.
Additionally, I recently hosted the Kingstanding Crime Conference with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and local police. Residents voiced their concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour, and I am delighted to see that Kingstanding residents are now exploring local initiatives to support our collective efforts.
Addressing crime and antisocial behaviour remains a top priority for me. I am committed to working closely with our partners, the police, and residents to ensure our community remains safe and our neighbourhoods secure.
