Tag: Police

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NEWS: Short Heath Road stabbing victim suffered ‘serious but not life-threatening’ injuries, emergency services confirm

Words by Ed King / Pics by Estelle Murphy

A man who was stabbed on Short Heath Road yesterday suffered ‘serious but not life-threatening’ injuries, emergency services have confirmed.

The victim, who has identified as 20 years old, was treated at the scene after the alarm was raised at around 5pm on Tuesday 3 July – following an attack that saw ‘injuries to his chest and arm.’

Centred around the Lifestyle Express newsagent on Short Heath Road, West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to an incident at 5.09pm – with the first ambulance arriving at the scene in only three minutes.

An unconfirmed post on Erdington Local’s social media, following our initial report of the attack, suggests the young man went into the popular convenience store seeking help after being stabbed on the street – with staff administering first aid and alerting the emergency services.

West Midlands Ambulence Service further told a second ambulance, a paramedic officer, the West Midlands Care Team, a MERIT trauma doctor, and critical care paramedic also attended – with witnesses seeing police cordon off the entrance to Short Heath Road from Station Road.

Witnesses to the response further say they saw ambulance crew attending to the victim for around 20 minutes before taking him away from the scene, presumably to hospital for further care.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman told: “On arrival, crews found a man with serious injuries.

“Ambulance staff immediately began administering advanced trauma care before he was conveyed to hospital for further treatment.”

A spokesperson from West Midlands Police added: “We’re investigating after a man was found with stab injuries in Short Heath Road, Erdington, at around 5pm yesterday (Tues).

“Officers attended and the 20-year-old was being treated by paramedics for injuries to his chest and arm. He was taken to hospital and is understood to be in a serious but not life-threatening condition.

“Neighbourhood teams are patrolling in the area to offer reassurance to residents. Anyone with information can contact investigators via Live Chat on our website or call 101, quoting crime reference number 20/576105/23.”

Following the first reports of the attack by Erdington Local, many people took to social media to lament the rise in knife crime over recent years – alongside a stripped back and arguably underfunded local police force.

However, others were also quick to recognise the issue as a citywide concern.

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NEWS: Police shut off Short Heath Road after reported stabbing in local newsagent

Words by Ed King & Estelle Murphy / Pics & video by Estelle Murphy

Police shut off Short Heath Road this afternoon, following reports of a stabbing at the Lifestyle Express newsagent – next to the Facethetics beauty salon and just opposite The Red Lion Pub.

Full details of the incident are yet to be confirmed by emergency services, although Erdington Local had a reporter at the scene talking to the many local residents who were witnessing events.

Rush hour traffic was brought to a standstill after emergency services attended the scene at around 5pm, with hundreds of commuters forced to take alternative routes following a police cordon blocking the entrance to Short Heath Road from Station Road.

Pictures taken from the scene show at least four marked police cars and one ambulance in attendance, as blue police tape is extended to block off the busy thoroughfare.

Witnesses at the scene further told they saw police dog vans, a Critical Care Team vehicle, and an armed response unit also attend.

One eyewitness told Erdington Local: “I think it happened at around 5pm, I saw them (emergency services) working on a young man, possibly in his early twenties, for about 20 minutes before the took him away. I’m pretty sure he was stabbed, possibly by a machete.”

Another explained: “I was driving home, down Station Road, and the traffic was almost gridlock. Then I saw all the flashing lights and eventually the police tape.

“It’s just a regular afternoon, a Monday. You don’t expect to literally run into a crime scene on your way back from work.”

Police at the scene were not able to confirm or deny any information. Erdington Local has contacted the emergency services involved for more information or an official public statement.

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NEWS: Hundreds delayed after ‘casualty on the tracks’ at Erdington Train Station

Words by Erdington Local editorial team

Hundreds of passengers were delayed this morning, after trains were cancelled due to a fatality on the line at Erdington Railway Station.

Emergency Services were called to the Cross City Line station just after 8am and trains between Lichfield and Birmingham were stopped.

Police and ambulance services were at the scene this morning, with local commuters seeing the emergency services around Station Road and taking to social media to warn other to avoid the area.

West Midlands Railway estimated there could be delays until just before midday, and the police have confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Officers were called to Erdington at 8.09am following reports of a casualty on the tracks. Paramedics also attended however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service added: “We were called to an incident on the railway line near to Erdington Station at 8.06am. One ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene. On arrival we discovered one patient.

“Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

A popular route for people heading out to work, Birmingham University, or the QE Hospital, National Express West Midlands are accepting tickets from affected rail users on its bus services until further notice.

West Midlands Railway tweeted at 9am: “Cancellations to services between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley. Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley Hl the line is blocked.

“Tickets will be accepted on NXWM bus routes – 11A, 11C, X14, 14, 65, 66, 67, 907, X3, X4, X5, 6, 77, 77A.

“Coaches have been requested starting at Lichfield Trent Valley and Sutton Coldfield shuttling between stations.”

For more on all train services across Birmingham visit www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk

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OPINION: A message from Paulette Hamilton, MP for Erdington

Pics supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

Last week, a local resident told me that their 70 year old father “carries a personal attack alarm when he goes on his morning walk” and despite installing home security, does not sleep well at night. There are many people across our community who share the same concerns – that they feel unsafe and want more to be done.

Since 2010, the Tories have cut £175million from the West Midlands Police Budget that has led to over 2,200 fewer police officers, hundreds of police staff jobs slashed, and the closure of many police stations – most recently for our community in Kingstanding, where the station is currently being sold off.

The reality of more than a decade of cuts to policing has been devastating for Erdington, Kingstanding and Castle Vale.

Our community ranks as the second highest in the West Midlands for reported crime, and as crime hits a 20 year high, the number of people being charged is falling to a record low in England and Wales. Criminals are being let off and victims are feeling let down.

Recently, at a meeting I arranged in Stockland Green with residents’ groups and businesses on Slade Road, Birmingham City Council confirmed that they would be installing new CCTV cameras in the area. The announcement came as a huge relief to local people and traders as the CCTV cameras will help monitor and deter criminal behaviour, as well as assist the police when it comes to catching offenders.

In other parts of our community, despite their limited resources, I have been working with local police teams and held similar meetings to address crime and antisocial behaviour in Erdington and Castle Vale.

In Kingstanding, people have told me that following the closure of many youth clubs, young people have been left with nowhere to go. Our communities were once home to locally run youth centres that provided activities and a safe space for young people.

Sadly, 13 years of devastating Tory government cuts have decimated our youth services with £1billion cut from youth funding, over 4,500 youth work jobs lost, and 760 youth centres closed nationally.

The first duty of the government is to keep people safe and our country secure – this is the foundation and the test for any government – but the Tories have failed.

13 years of Tory failure have left many communities, like ours, worse off and it will be left to a Labour government to pick up the pieces. For me and many others, that can’t come soon enough.

For more on Paulette Hamilton MP for Erdington visit www.paulettehamilton.org

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NEWS: WMP Chief Constable “determined to put more resources” into local policing and build “a higher level of visibility” in areas such as Erdington High Street

Words by Ed King / Pics by Ed King or taken from live feed of SPCB

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford is “determined to put more resources into local (policing)” and assures local retailers “when our operating model changes there will be a higher level of visibility” and police presence in areas such as Erdington High Street.

Following our feature last week titled ‘Erdington retailers are losing thousands on “lawless” High Street scourged by shoplifters’, Erdington Local met with the region’s most senior police officer to discuss crime in the once busy shopping district.

As part of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board’s (PSCB) monthly meeting, chaired by Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Tom McNeil, the urgent plight of Erdington’s High Streeet retailers was presented directly to the WMP Chief Constable.

Issues including a lack of police presence on the High Street, the Public Space Protection Order, CCTV, and better support for the existing shop security and Erdington Street Warden were all raised – with a particular focus given to shops that report crimes and claim no effective police response.

According to many High Street retailers, repeat and violent offenders are also left unchallenged by local law enforcement – with some shoplifters let go by police who attend the scene, even after being caught on CCTV stealing hundreds of pounds worth of goods and detained by shop security.

(Click here to read more about the experiences of staff working at Peacocks and the Coop on Erdington High Street.)

WMP Chief Constable Craig Guildford responded: “(What) you’ve said about shoplifters being detained does cause me some trouble and I intend to have a deeper look into that.

“Because if a shopkeeper is ringing up, and there’s a shoplifter there to be arrested, that’s being a pain in the backside, we need to go and deal with it.”

He added: “But proportionately. Sometimes if that shoplifter is of a young age, or it’s a lower value item, we may… try and use restorative justice to prevent reoffending. And I also support the officers in doing that.

“But sometimes, from a business owners perspective, that might not be the best thing since sliced bread.”

Many High Street retailers have further told Erdington Local of the problems with using emergency numbers to report crimes to the police, spending “45mins to an hour trying to get through to 101.”

Alongside no immediate response to potentially dangerous situations, one store manager also previously explained:

“One person off that shop floor could allow three of four shoplifters in the shop. I physically can’t do it; I literally can’t leave the shop floor.”

The failings of the 999 and 101 numbers were also on the Strategic Policing and Crime Board agenda, with Chief Constable Craig Guildford “less content with our position on 101s” but looking to introduce “a raft of measures” to improve the service that the force is “moving forward with at pace.”

He also urged larger local retailers to “up their own security” and build a bigger “provision of security to deter some of these offences… to make sure the most resources can be applied to the problem.”

In a Valentines Day meeting with the Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) and local retailers, held at the request of Paulette Hamilton MP, Erdington’s then serving Sergeant Simon Wheeler also urged High Street businesses to use 101 to report crime – explaining the numbers of reports can affect how many officers are deployed in an area.

But despite “regular meetings” between the police and Erdington BID “to share concerns and agree approaches”, the 14 February event was the first time several retailers had met either Sergeant Wheeler or the BID’s new Town Centre Manager, John Hodgkiss – both of whom came into post around six to eight months ago.

When questioned if this was an appropriate amount of time for such representatives to have made contact with local retailers, especially under the shadow of constant complaints around crime on the High Street, Chief Constable Guildford responded:

“I concur with many of the points made. I do run the police force, and eight months does seem like a long time to me too. All I would say is that we’re committed to improving that.

“I definitely need people to report, to ring 999, if there’s a shoplifter detained that’s kicking off or assaulting anybody.

“And at the same time, I’d also encourage (people) to engage the BID and encourage the local businesses to work with the BID as well.

“It sounds like the new person may be able to facilitate more of that.”

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NEWS: One man and two women charged after ‘swift arrests’ following assault outside Swan pub

Words & pics by Ed King

West Midlands Police have charged one man and two women following a vicious attack outside The Swan pub on Friday 10 February, which left a man fighting for his life in hospital.

The three people arrested, all in their thirties, have been charged with ‘offences of public order and assault’ and have been remanded in custody until they will appear in court on 21 March.

The victim is in a ‘serious but stable condition’, after being rushed to hospital by emergency services.

The attack sparked widespread condemnation for those responsible, with many fearing the victim of the brutal assault had died from his injuries.

A statement from West Midlands Police told: “We have arrested three people following a disorder in Erdington High Street on 10 February, in which a man suffered serious head injuries.

“A 38-year-old man and two women, aged 34 and 31, have been charged with offences of public order and assault and have been remanded in custody.

“The injured man remains in hospital where he is in a serious but stable condition.”

The horrendous attack occurred early on the evening of Friday 10 February, with local law enforcement responding quickly to calls of a violent disturbance outside the popular High Street pub.

One Erdington local was drinking in The Charlie Hall when he saw uniformed officers come into the neighbouring pub, presumably on the hunt for those involved in the attack.

He told Erdington Local: “It was only early, around six or seven, and about four police (officers) turned up and started searching the pub and beer garden.

“I didn’t know anything about what had happened, I don’t think anyone did at that time, but you could tell they (the police) were looking for someone.

“It caused a few jokes when they came in, a few punters put their hands in the air. But to be fair to the police they were well natured about it – although it was clear they weren’t leaving until they’d either found who they were after or made sure they weren’t there.”

Erdington High Street has become a hotspot for crime in recent years, with many local residents and businesses feeling unsupported by the local police teams. And whilst people still strive to celebrate the positives in the area, the growing problems with theft and antisocial behaviour have become an unassailable issue for many who visit and work on Erdington High Street.

A meeting was held on Tuesday 14 February to hear the concerns of local retailers, who have told Erdington Local they are losing thousands in regular attacks from shoplifters – many of whom are known to both the shop staff and police.

Organised by the Erdington Business Improvement District, at the request of Paulette Hamilton MP, the meeting was the first time several local retailers reported having met with either the police or Erdington’s Town Centre Manger to discuss the problems over crime on the High Street.

Erdington Local will also be meeting with West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford on 28 February, requesting a stance of ‘no tolerance’ to crime on the High Street and to support an ‘effective working partnership’ local officers and the High Street’s existing security staff.

Following the announcement three people had been arrested and charged over the 10 February attack, West Midlands Police further told Erdington Local:

“Keeping our communities safe is our priority and we know anti-social behaviour and public disorders like the one which occurred recently can cause upset and concern among local residents.

“As part of our investigation, we made swift arrests and three people have now been charged to appear at court on 21 March.

“We’re grateful to members of the local community who supported us with our enquiries. We will continue to challenge this kind of behaviour and our officers recently visited the Swan public house to offer reassurance and to make a further appeal for witnesses to the recent disorder.”

Anyone with information can contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat on www.west-midlands.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting log 3244 of 10 February.

If you have been affected by crime and antisocial behaviour on Erdington High Street, or by anything raised in this article, you can tell us your story via [email protected]

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NEWS: Police tape cordons off Erdington High Street after alleged assault on Friday evening

Words & pics by Ed King

Part of Erdington High Street remains closed off today, following an alleged violent assault that took place early in the evening on Friday 10 February outside The Swan pub.

According to sources on the High Street, a man was assaulted at around 6pm on the Friday as he tried to break up a fight between other people who were arguing on the street outside the popular Erdington boozer.

Another source who was close to the incident told Erdington Local the attack was unprovoked, with police reviewing CCTV footage to confirm details of the alleged assault.

A statement from West Midlands Police said: “We were called to a disorder in Erdington High Street shortly after 6pm on 10 February. One man suffered serious head injuries and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

“Following the incident, the offenders have made off and investigations are now underway. Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting log 3244 of 10 February.”

Blue police tape has cordoned off a large area outside the pub, with police riot shields laid over areas of the pavement – possibly protecting areas for forensics to study.

Erdington Local has not heard anything implicating The Swan with the alleged assault, with officers remaining on the High Street primarily to keep people away from the crime scene.

During a visit to the scene this morning, Erdington Local saw two members of the public crawl under the police tape – with one looking like he was trying to make his way into The Swan, despite the pub having closed its doors whilst police search for clues.

Officers at the scene confirmed to Erdington Local there is no ongoing danger to members of the public whilst the “investigation is ongoing.”

Two Street Pastors were also at the scene this morning, trying to find out what had happened and to offer support to anyone who might be frightened or worried by the significant police presence.

Erdington High Street is too often blighted with crime and anti-social behaviour, and the presence of blue police tape cordoning off parts of the busy thoroughfare can quickly spark fear and speculation in the minds of Saturday shoppers.

The Street Pastors, Sue and Janet, told Erdingotn Local: “We were just on our patrol this morning and somebody in The Cube has told us something has happened down here (by The Swan) so we walked up here.

“We don’t know what happened fully, but we just pray God’s blessings on the situation and the families affected. We will be here on the High Street if people want to talk; we’re here for them.”

Erdington High Street has become a hotbed of crime and anti-social behaviour over recent years, with routine shoplifting and brazen drug dealing turning what was once the busiest High Street in the city into a “lawless” area where people are increasingly too afraid to visit.

The Erdington Street Warden, who is employed by the Erdington Business Improvement District (EBID), and the individual shop security teams work tirelessly to keep people safe and deter crime on the High Street.

But private security in the area have told Erdington Local they feel often unsupported by a lack of official police presence – especially in the absence of PCSO Sue Haskin, who is well known and respected with her constant patrolling on the High Street but is off duty due to injury.

Even when shoplifters are apprehended and detained, if police do respond to their call the offender is too often released or not processed in anyway to act as a deterrent to other offenders – Erdington Local has been told.

Erdington Local will be meeting with West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford on 28 February, as part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s monthly Board meeting.

We will be asking the region’s top cop if he will commit to a stance of ‘no tolerance’ to crime on the High Street, working with both local officers and the High Street’s existing external security to turn the tide of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.

Anyone with information can contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat on www.west-midlands.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting log 3244 of 10 February.

If you have been affected by crime and anit-social behaviour on Erdington High Street, or by anything raised in this article, you can tell us your story via [email protected]

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NEWS: Man arrested for midnight stabbing on Fern Road leaving victim with “potentially life changing injuries’

Words and pics by Ed King

A 35 year old man has been arrested for wounding, following an alleged stabbing on Fern Road at around 12am on Saturday 7 January.

As revellers on nearby Erdington High Street enjoyed the first weekend of the New Year, a man in his 40’s was fighting for his life following the vicious assault – with police cordoning off Fern Road in a midnight investigation.

Blocking off the suburban street from the entrances on Church Road and Moor End Lane, uniformed officers and sniffer dogs were deployed in the early hours to search for evidence.

Initially searching the undergrowth, bushes, and gardens surrounding the corner of Fern Road and Church Road, police then continued their search down Church Road towards Spring Lane – checking front gardens and knocking on the doors of house to near to the crime scene.

A Police Incident Support Unit was also in attendance, isolating two parts of Fern Road and covering potential evidence with small tents.

A vehicle recovery truck was also called to the scene, although it was unclear which vehicles it was removing from the investigation site.

One local resident, who lives on Church Road and saw the first squad car arrive, told Erdington Local: “You hear sirens and see blue lights all the time around here, being just off the High Street, but they don’t usually stop on Church Road. This time they did.

“I never heard any noise or fighting, and the first police car just sat on Fern Road for about quarter of an hour before anyone else turned up – it didn’t feel like a dangerous scene.

“But the roads were fully closed and the police were searching the front gardens nearby, so they must have been looking for something. Or someone.”

Another Church Road neighbour, who came out of her door opposite from the police cordon, told Erdington Local: “I’m was just coming to see what was going on, we were worried for our neighbours.”

Whilst a passer-by also quizzed police at the scene, asking: “how bad is it down there (Fern Road)?”

West Midlands Police issued a statement about the incident on Saturday 7 January.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told: “A man has been arrested after another man was stabbed in Fern Road, Erdington just before midnight.

“The victim, in his 40s, was taken to hospital with serious and potentially life-changing injuries. A 35-year-old man remains under arrest for wounding.

“Anyone who witnessed what happened and hasn’t spoken to us should contact us via Live Chat quoting log 4757 of 6/1.

Video of police at scene, blocking off Fern Road

 Video of small tents being erected on Fern Road

 

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NEWS: Police tape off Fern Road in midnight investigation on first weekend of New Year

Words & pics by Ed King

Police responded to an incident near Erdington High Street at around midnight on Friday 6 January – cordoning off Fern Road from the corner of Church Road to Moor End Lane.

On the first weekend of the New Year, the first squad car was seen arriving by local residents at around 12am on Friday night/Saturday morning – parking on the corner of Church Road and Fern Road.

One officer was seen searching the surrounding bushes by flashlight, whilst another established police tape blocking off Fern Road to pedestrians and traffic from the entrances on Church Road and Moor End Lane.

A further two more squad cars were parked to prevent traffic from entering from Moor End Lane, with officers advising pedestrians on Church Road to cross over and walk on the opposite side of the street.

One local resident, who lives on Church Road and saw the first squad car arrive, told Erdington Local:

“You hear sirens and see blue lights all the time around here, being just off the High Street, but they don’t usually stop on Church Road. This time they did.

“I never heard any noise or fighting, and the first police car just sat on Fern Road for about quarter of an hour before anyone else turned up – it didn’t feel like a dangerous scene.

“But the roads were fully closed and the police were searching the front gardens nearby, so they must have been looking for something. Or someone.”

A police sniffer dog and handler were later seen coming out of one of the neighbouring gardens, then preceding to search more gardens down Church Road towards Spring Lane.

Officers were also seen knocking on doors of houses next to the crime scene. A further two squad cars were also positioned on the corner of Church Road and Deakin Road but were not preventing vehicle access.

One local resident, who had just come back from the Charlie Hall pub, was surprised to see blue lights flashing near his home.

Whist another Church Road neighbour, who came out of her door opposite from the police cordon, told Erdington Local:

“I’m was just coming to see what was going on, we were worried for our neighbours.”

After nearly two hours of the road closure and ongoing investigation, a police incident van arrived and small triangular tents were erected in the middle of Fern Road, although it was confirmed to Erdington Local: “they are not for bodies.”

A passer-by also quizzed police at the scene, asking: “how bad is it down there (Fern Road)?”

A recovery vehicle arrived at the scene some minutes later, seemingly to remove at least one of the vehicles that appeared parked on Fern Road.

Police at the scene were not able to comment further on the incient or identify if there was any threat to public safety.

Erdington Local has contacted West Midlands Police for an official statement.

Video of police at scene, blocking off Fern Road

 Video of small tents being erected on Fern Road

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“We just want her home and safe” – Wolverhampton family appeal to Erdington residents for help finding teenage daughter

Words by Erdington Local news team / Pics supplied by family

Erdington residents have been asked to help find a missing teenager who has been seen multiple times in the area.

The parents of 15-year-old Shannon Hyde have been driving around Erdington since she went missing 21 days ago.

Shannon’s father Shaun Hyde, from Wolverhampton, has been frantically following up tip offs from people on Facebook.

He told Erdington Local: “She has been missing for 21 days now and her phone has been switched off since last Friday.

“She was last seen meeting an older man in Erdington.

“People are commenting on Facebook that they have seen her in Erdington, Birmingham, but the police don’t seem to be following the sightings up until it is too late.

“We’ve been told she was seen outside an HMO in Erdington, by Old Square, and approached several people in pubs in Erdington.”

He added: “We just want her home and safe, she is vulnerable and I’m asking anyone who has seen her to get in touch with the police.”

Shannon’s disappearance has been shared across social media and Shaun has even been getting messages from Americans who are trying to locate her via the Internet.

He said: “I’ve had Americans on Snapchat getting in touch about where she could be, I really hope she contacts us soon.

“I am really worried about her being groomed by gangs and her mother and I are going out of our minds with worry about what could happen to her if she is not found soon.”

West Midlands Police have now put out two appeals for information about the whereabouts of Shannon.

Police first posted about Shannon on 13 September and again this week posting a more recent picture of the teenager.

A police spokesman said: “Shannon is 5ft 3ins tall, with shoulder length brown hair and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a cream T-shirt, chequered jacket and blue and pink trainers.

“We still need to find Shannon. Can you help? Please contact us with any information.

“We’re still searching for Shannon. The 15-year-old is missing from Wolverhampton. She was last seen wearing grey bottoms, white trainers and a beige check jacket.”

If you have information on Shannon’s whereabouts call 101, quote PID390949.