Tag: Neighbourhood Police Team

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NEWS: Police arrest two men over attack by Village Green in Erdington Town Centre

Words by Erdington Local editorial team

Police cordon off area of Erdington High Street following reports of an assault / Photograph supplied by Erdington bid

West Midlands Police have confirmed they have arrested two men over an attack by the Village Green in Erdington Town Centre last week.

The force further confirmed the men are “in custody” and will be facing questions on “suspicion of wounding”, which can carry maximum jail terms of between five years to life imprisonment – depending on the severity and intent of the assault.

On Wednesday 2 July, emergency services responded to a call regarding a violent altercation between individuals on the pedestrian area near Oikos Café and The Swan Pub, with police cordoning of a large section of the High Street whilst investigating.

Broken pieces of Dragons Stout beer bottle found behind police tape at crime scene on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID

Erdington Local was also at the scene and was by told by staff from local businesses in the area, who witnessed the incident, how one man took an empty bottle of Dragon Stout beer from a rubbish bin and used it to attack another man following a verbal altercation.

An Erdington Street Warden, who works with Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) to help support and secure the Town Centre, was also at the scene and administered first aid to one man – who was seen to have “a pool of blood” coming from his back.

To read Erdington Local’s initial article following the reported attack, click here.

Police tape off pedestrianised area around crime scene on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID

After a week of investigating and enquiries, a spokesperson from West Midlands Police has now confirmed that arrests have been made and those responsible for any crime will be questioned and processed accordingly.

West Midlands Police told: “Operation Fearless officers have arrested two men after an assault on Erdington High Street, where a man was attacked with a glass bottle outside a pub on 2 July.

“He was taken to hospital with injuries that thankfully, were not life-changing.

“We’ve been carrying out a thorough investigation and this morning (9 July) officers from Operation Fearless arrested two men aged 35 and 58.

“They are both currently in custody being questioned on suspicion of wounding.”

Suspected blood and broken glass on the pedestrianised area inbetween Oikos Cafe and The Swan pub / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID

They added: “Operation Fearless, which recently expanded to the Southside area of Birmingham, continues to support colleagues in Erdington and together they are committed to making it the safest possible area for people to live and work.

“Fearless and our dedicated Erdington High Street team will be continuing patrols around the area as we support #SaferStreetsSummer.

“If you have information about crime in the area, call us on 101.”

A spokesperson for the Erdington BID, which is supported by local retailers and businesses, told: “There are legitimate concerns from local businesses that the space by the Village Green is in danger of becoming a hotspot for crime and anti-social behaviour.”

“Over recent weeks, there has been a rise of incidents and reports made over issues around the Village Green area, after Operation Fearless has driven certain activities and individuals out of the centre of the High Street.”

Area between The Swan pub and Borch Electrical store known to be used by street drinkers / Photograph suppliued by Erdington BID

They added: “Erdington BID is in constant talks with the local police teams and wider units, as well as the Operation Fearless team and other partners, to increase police presence and enforcement in the area.

“We welcome the extra efforts being made and the increasing partnership work between uniformed officers on patrol in the Town Centre and our own Steet Wardens – alongside our incredibly resilient retailers.

“There has been a very positive change made on Erdington High Street after Operation Fearless and everyone, including the police, are 100% committed to moving forward and not backwards.”

For more on the local police in the Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington

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NEWS: “Incident” by Village Green leaves part of Erdington High Street cordoned off as emergency services respond

Police cordon off area of Erdington High Street following reports of an assault / Photgraph supplied by Erdington Local

Words by Erdington Local editorial team

An “incident” on the pedestrianised area by the Village Green left part of Erdington High Street cordoned off by police on Wednesday 2 July.

Blue and white police tape stopped shoppers from walking through the crime scene at around 1:30pm yesterday, as emergency services responded to a 999 call from a local business – following reports of two men fighting in the street.

Blood and broken glass could be seen in the centre of the High Street, with several local people reporting a man had been “stabbed” with a broken bottle.

Police tape was finally removed from the area and members of the public were allowed back onto the concourse at around 3pm.

Broken glass and what is believed to be blood seen behind blue and white police tape aftre incident on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington Local

A spokesperson from West Midlands Police told: “We were called to Erdington High Street at around 1.30pm yesterday (2 July) following reports a man had been assaulted.

“It’s believed he was attacked with a glass bottle… and he was taken to hospital with injuries thankfully not believed to be life-changing.”

They added: “A full investigation has started with officers reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses.

“Anyone with information should contact us on 101 quoting crime reference 20/295081/25.”

A spokesperson from West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed: “We were called to an incident on High Street in Erdington at 1.30pm and sent an ambulance and paramedic officer to the scene.

“On arrival, crews found a man who they treated for serious, but not life-threatening injuries, before conveying him to hospital.”

Police tape on lamppost near crime scene on pedestrianised area of Erdington High Street / Photgraph supplied by Erdington Local

West Midlands Police were also quick to attend the scene, with people in the area saying the response teams arrived “in a few minutes” and began gathering local intelligence.

Erdington Local was also at the scene and was told the incident had been filmed by members of the public and it was hopped the man responsible for the attack could be clearly identified.

It was also reported that the Erdington Street Warden on duty at the time was one of the first at the scene and was quick to administer first aid the victim – who was seen to have “a pool of blood” coming out from underneath his clothes on his back.

Staff from local businesses in the area, who witnessed the reported assault, told Erdington Local how after a verbal altercation between two men, one man took an empty bottle of Dragon Stout from a rubbish bin and used it to attack the other man.

Broken pieces of Dragons Stout beer bottle found behind police tape at crime scene on Erdingotn High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington Local

Erdington Local could see broken parts of a Dragons Stout bottle – a high percentage beer that is mainly sold in off-licences and not in any of the neighbouring licenced premises – on the ground next to a small pool of what looked like drying blood.

People in the area further informed our reporter that before the fight they had seen the attacker sitting on a small wall in between the Borch Electrical store and The Swan pub – where the rubbish bin is located.

Neither businesses have been implicated in the incident by any emergency service.

The bin had been put there by local volunteers to help tackle the rising rubbish, including empty bottles and fast-food packaging, around the growing hotspot for street drinking and visible drug taking.

Several local residents and businesses vocalised to Erdington Local they believe the area is becoming troublesome in part after anti-social behaviour has been displaced from other areas of the Town Centre by the recent police initiative, Operation Fearless.

Area between The Swan and Borch Electrical store known to be used by street drinkers / Photograph supplied by Erdington Local

The sunny weather is also cited as a potentially exacerbating factor, although people are known to gather in the area during all conditions.

A spokesperson for the Erdington Business Improvement District (BID), which is supported by local retailers and pays for the Street Wardens, confirmed the area has been highlighted to local law enforcement who took the situation “very seriously” and had promised to address concerns over criminality there.

Only a few days previously, on Tuesday 24 June, police had responded to reports of another “disorder” in the area, where officers confirmed they “arrested two men aged 32 and 39, and recovered two knives” – adding that “thankfully, no-one was seriously injured.”

Area covered by the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in a around Erdingotn Town Centre / Image supplied by West Midlands Police

The High Street around the Village Green falls inside the ‘restricted zone’ of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), that covers Erdington Town Centre and some of the surrounding streets.

A PSPO is a widely used law enforcement tool, which gives local police more powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and to remove repeat offenders from the designated area.

Erdington Local has asked West Midlands for any updates or developments surrounding the incident on Wednesday 2 July.

For more on the local police in the Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington

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OPINION: A View from the Vale – a message from Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin

Cllr Ray Good win on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour

Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin

(Ed’s note… this column was written the June/July Erdington Local newspaper and first published, in print, on Thursday 12 June.)

Since I last wrote my article a view from the Vale there has been a high-profile incident where a firearm was discharged. Whilst this was an isolated incident, it also reminded me that we simply need to be on the front foot always and put residents’ safety first.

We did a great amount of work last year when a similar incident took place, to ensure we kept our Neighbourhood Police Team in place.

Whilst I am extremely grateful to West Midlands Police for their diligence in dealing with the incident, I am aware the new model being introduced in Erdington will leave Castle Vale at a policing deficit. This I something I will be picking up with the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

I will now be pulling together a Community Safety Summit to collaborate with partners to produce tangible solutions that reduce the risk of such high-profile incidents happening again.

Castle Vale is an amazing community, and it is my promise that whilst I am the Councillor for Castle Vale I will do everything in my power to protect residents and this community. Words are good but my continued actions are there to help keep residents safe.

As Mahatma Gandhi said: “The future depends on what you do today.”

For more on Cllr Ray Goodwin www.facebook.com/thisiscastlevale

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NEWS: Erdington launched Operation Fearless sets out national debate on high street policing

Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton opens a Westminster Hall debate into high street policing / Image taken from Parliament.tv live feed

Words by Ed King

Operation Fearless has set out the national debate around high street policing, after being presented as the centrepiece of a sitting in a Westminster Hall to discuss the issues of crime and anti-social behaviour affecting retail hubs across the country.

Raised by Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton on Thursday 5 June, and chaired by MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough Gill Furniss, the committee heard how Operation Fearless had provided “a proven model” for community policing in retail areas – and how the achievements of the policing initiative had introduced “a new era… for Erdington High Street.”

Operation Fearless was announced in January 2025, supported by £880,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioner to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in hotspots across the city – with a dedicated police force working in partnership with local stakeholders and retailers.

Westminster Hall debate into high street policing – as raised by Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton / Image taken from Parliament.tv live feed

Launched in Erdington Town Centre, Operation Fearless made over 140 arrests in its first few months and seized hundreds of thousands of pounds worth off illegal drugs and contraband from incidents on and around the High Street – alongside an arsenal of offensive weapons.

In a wider operation to tackle knife crime in the area, the Polce and Crime Commissioner’s office further reported “a total of 415 weapons were deposited in a single [weapons amnesty] bin” outside the New Testament Church of God on Goosemoor Lane from January to March 2025.

Addressing the Westminster Hall Backbend Business Committee on 5 June, the Erdington Member of Parliament also celebrated the “incredible leadership” of both the Operation Fearless Lead, Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, and local Inspector Shameem Ahmed – who worked alongside DS Munro during Operation Fearless and continues to oversee policing across Erdington.

Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster by weapons amnesty bin / Photograph supplied by the OPCC

Paulette Hamilton MP further explained how “the lesson of Operation Fearless is clear” and the “Erdington’s story proves that change is possible”.

Positioning the Erdington launched policing initiative as a blueprint for combatting a nationwide crime crisis, she added: “But let’s be clear, this is not just about one high street. It’s about every community fighting for safety and pride.

“It’s about recognising that policing must be visible, proactive, and rooted in partnership.”

Since Operation Fearless has wound down its work in Erdington Town Centre, as the core team move to tackle crime in Birmingham City Centre’s Southside, Erdington High Street has welcomed the introduction of a dedicated police team to support the retail hub.

Operation Fearless team on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Led by Seargent Gray Grove, the Erdington High Street Police team are now working alongside the Neighbourhood Police Team, Erdington Business Improvement District (BID), and the Erdington Street Wardens to maintain effective police presence and community support in the Town Centre.

After establishing the High Street team Sgt Grove previous told Erdington Local: “Since taking over at the start of April, we’ve had a strong start, making more than 17 arrests for various offences, executing warrants, and seizing illegal items.

“Our vehicle stops have led to the discovery of cash and drugs, while stop and searches have helped us remove dangerous weapons and knives from the streets.”

He added: “We know these issues matter to the community, so we’ll be taking strong action to stop them.

“You’ll see us on patrol, listening to the community and acting on intelligence. We’re here to help and if you see us out and about, please do say hello.”

Sgt Grove and the Erdington High Street police team, with Erdington BID Street Wardens on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID

A spokesperson for the Erdington BID added: “There has been a remarkable improvement in Erdington Town Centre, and the levels of crime have dropped significantly – but we must stay vigilant.

“Our Street Wardens have been standing on the front line against violent shoplifters and anti-social behaviour for years. But following Operation Fearless, and with Sgt Grove and his High Street Police Team now in place, there is a real show of force in and around Erdington Town Centre.

“And with some great family friendly street parties and events planned for across the summer, Erdington High Street moving away from the problems of its past and looking towards a much brighter future.”

Erdington BID are hosting the first in a series of Summer Fun Days on Saturday 21 June, held outside the entrance to Wilton Market on Erdington High Street – with free children’s games and activities.

Click here to watch the live Westminster Hall debate about high street policing, as raised by Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton.

For more on the local police in the Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington

 

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NEWS: Erdington Neighbourhood Police to host Volunteer Day on Saturday 31 May

Entrance to Erdington Police Station on Sutton New Road / Photograph by Ed King

Words by Ed King

Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team are looking for volunteers to support their work around the Town Centre and wider constituency.

Hosting a special Volunteer Day outside Erdington Police Station on Saturday 31 May, the local force will be showcasing many of the initiatives and groups they run in area – hoping local residents and people across Erdington will join up and get involved.

Running from 10am to 12noon, the Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team Volunteer Day will be a chance to learn more about groups and initiatives including the Police led Street Watch, Neighbourhood Watch, Special Constables, and the Police Museum in Birmingham City Centre.

There will also be existing volunteers and representatives for the Erdington Police Community Speed Watch, who are targeting reckless drivers and speeding around residential streets – including dangerous hotspots such as near schools and nurseries.

Members of the Police Cadets will also be introducing younger potential volunteers to their group, which invites 13 to 17 year olds to get involved in softer police procedures.

Having relaunched in January 2025, the Police Cadets programme is looking for “passionate individuals” to support community outreach work and learn more about how each police department operates and supports the community.

Erdington PCSO leads the first Community Speed Watch with local volunteers on Spring Lane, Erdington / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

In a message on the police WMNow newsletter, posted ahead of the Volunteer Day, Erdington High Street PCSO Manider Tagger told: “Erdington Neighbourhood [Police] Team would like to invite you to our Volunteers Day which is taking place on the 31st May 2025 between 10:00am – 12:00pm outside of Erdington Police Station, Wilton Road, Erdington.

“This Volunteers Day we will have our Volunteers in Erdington all in one place advertising what it is they do, their experiences and how you can get involved.”

Sergeant John Reeves, who heads up the Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team, previously told Erdington Local: “By working together as a community and actively looking after our area, we can create a better and safer place to live.

“[The community’s] active participation and collaboration are essential to achieving our shared goal of creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone.”

Sgt Gary Grove, High Street Police Team, and Erdington Street Wardens on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Erdington Town Centre has also recently seen the introduction of a dedicated High Street Police Team, headed by Sergeant Gary Grove to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the retail and community hub.

Writing regular updates on local policing in Erdington Local, Sgt Grove recent added: “We know these issues matter to the community, so we’ll be taking strong action to stop them.

“You’ll see us on patrol, listening to the community and acting on intelligence. We’re here to help and if you see us out and about, please do say hello.”

For more on the local police in the Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington

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OPINION: A message from Erdington’s new police sergeant

Words by Sgt John Reeves

Erdington Police Station / Pic by Ed King

My name is Sergeant Reeves, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Sergeant of the Erdington Neighbourhood Team.

Firstly, I want to say thank you to Sergeant James Hurdrige for all his hard work over the past year in looking after Erdington.

Allow me to provide you with a brief summary of my background. I have been working with West Midlands Police for 19 years, starting as a Special Constable in 2005. Following that, I transferred to Warwickshire and served an additional seven years there.

In 2007, I joined West Midlands Police full time and began working as a call handler and front office staff member. Over time, I progressed to the role of dispatcher until 2018 when I became a Police Officer.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with various neighbourhood teams, and I am now eager to take on the responsibility of overseeing the Erdington area.

However, I want to emphasise that while my team and I will be responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the community, we cannot do it alone. We rely on the support of our partner agencies and, equally importantly, the collaboration of the community.

We require your support in reporting matters so that we are aware of any issues within your community. Please be aware we may not be able to attend all reports, this may be due to other commitments. By informing us of problems in your community can assist us in providing supporting evidence to facilitate us requesting additional patrols from other departments.

By working together as a community and actively looking after our area, we can create a better and safer place to live.

I am excited about the opportunity to serve as your Sergeant and contribute to the safety and well-being of the Erdington community.

Your active participation and collaboration are essential to achieving our shared goal of creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone. I look forward to working with you and getting to know the community better.

For more on Erdington’s Neighbourhood Police Team visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington