Tag: Police

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NEWS: Castle Vale councillor calls for “urgent meeting” to keep Neighbourhood Police Team on the estate

Words by Ed King 

Ripped police tape on Castle Vale High Street / Pic by Ed King

Councillor Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour) has called for an “urgent meeting” with West Midlands Police after multiple sources warn the Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) currently based on the estate could be moved to Erdington Town Centre.

For several weeks, stakeholders and individuals across Castle Vale have been told the Tyburn NPT are being relocated to the constituency’s main station on Sutton New Road – leaving their current base at The Greenhouse, office premises owned by The Pioneer Group, based on Castle Vale.

Following requests for information by both Erdington Local and Cllr Goodwin, at the time of writing West Midlands Police (WMP) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPPC) – the two organisations responsible for community policing across the region – have not given any compatible statements confirming or denying a possible move, leaving many concerned about the future of community policing on the estate.

With increasing concerns that Castle Vale, an area which depends on a visible police presence for public safety, could lose its community police officers, Cllr Goodwin has demanded clarity from both WMP and the Police and Crime Commissioner and promised to “challenge” any decision that could see less visible community policing on the North Birmingham estate.

Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour) / Pic supplied by Birmingham Labour

In a statement made to Erdington Local, Cllr Ray Goodwin told: “I am deeply concerned to have spoken to a number of stakeholders who have had it confirmed [that there will be] the withdrawal of the Neighbourhood Policing Team from Castle Vale – despite receiving assurances from West Midlands Police… there are no plans, at this point, to relocate.

He added: “Yet two weeks later we have been told the [Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team] officers will be moved out in three weeks. I will, alongside other partners, be seeking an urgent meeting with West Midlands Police to challenge this decision on behalf of the community in Castle Vale.”

Erdington Local first contacted both West Midlands Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner about the issue on 25 September.

WMP stated all “all enquiries regarding Estates is dealt with by the [O]PCC” and promptly referred the enquiry to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

On 26 October, the OPPC responded by saying: “there are no plans, at this point, to relocate [the Tyburn NPT]” but added “if operational requirements change, our estates team will be on hand to deliver an appropriate solution.”

Police invetsigating reports of gunshots and violent disorder on Castle Vale / Pic supplied by local resident

After continuing confirmation from sources on Castle Vale that the Tyburn NPT are indeed relocating, with Erdington Police Station on Sutton New Road cited as the new location, the OPPC then responded on 9 October saying it was “an operational policing matter” and not one for the Police and Crime Commissioner.

With the ball bouncing back to WMP, a spokesperson for the Force confirmed on 17 October the Tyburn NPT currently “remain at their Castle Vale base” – but crucially did not confirm or deny any possible plans to relocate them in the future.

Police invetsigating reports of gunshots and violent disorder on Castle Vale / Pic supplied by local resident

The Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team, which operates community policing on a patch stretching from Bromford and Castle Vale to Gravelly Hill and up to parts of Pype Hayes, have been based at The Greenhouse since the closure of the Castle Vale Police Station in 2017.

On 3 April 2023, West Midlands Police launched a new Neighbourhood Policing Strategy, led by Chief Constable Craig Guildford, which planned to make officers responding to crime “more local to provide a better service”.

Supporting the new strategy, the West Midlands Police Federation stated: “We are going to be more visible, we are going to be engaging more with the public and we are going to start talking with our partners again. It will be much better for the public.”

Chief Constable Guildford, who came into post in December 2022, added: “The new local policing model will help us to get better at solving local issues and preventing and solving crime by working in partnership with communities to deliver justice and keep people safe across the West Midlands.”

Castle Vale statue outside Chivenor Primary School / Pic by Ed King

In a statement issued by the OPPC in October 2023, addressing changes to local police teams and stations, it was confirmed that for Castle Vale: “Neighbourhood Policing Teams are currently co-located within a partner building (The Greenhouse). This will continue.”

Stakeholders on the Castle Vale estate are continuing to be told the Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team will be relocated.

Erdington Local has asked both WMP and the OPPC for further comment about any existing or future plans around the location of the Tyburn NPT.

For more on the Tyburn Neighbourhood Police Team, visit: www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/tyburn/about-us/top-reported-crimes-in-this-area

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OPINION: Erdington Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

L-R Cllr Moore, Cllr Alden – Erdington Ward, Conservatives / Pic by Ed King

Cllr Gareth Moore and myself have been working with residents to try and improve road safety in a number of areas across Erdington Ward over the last year.

As part of that work, we raised at the last Council meeting the need for a number of improvements to take place including average Speed Cameras on the Chester Road to tackle speeding drivers.

Over the last year we have had yellow lines installed at a number of locations around the ward to tackle dangerous parking at junctions to try and make them safer, including on Gravelly Lane (at the junction of Oliver and Somerset Roads) Fosseway Drive and Hayes Grove.

Following a number of serious incidents at the junction of Kingsbury Road and Spring Lane, we have had plans drawn up to make changes to the layout to try and slow the speed cars take the corner so to make it safer for residents.

These have been consulted on locally with nearby residents and earlier this year Gareth and I secured funding for them so they will be installed in the coming months.

In previous years the Council has given each ward a pot of funding for minor works road safety improvements locally to be made where residents want them.

Sadly, now the Council has axed funding from those wards which used it, while keeping it for wards that haven’t spent last year’s funding yet (mostly Labour Councillor wards). This will make it harder to keep local roads safe.

For more from Erdington’s Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Jones visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

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OPINON: Making arrests in Edington with Operation Skybridge

Words and lead image supplied by West Midlands Police

Operation Skybridge police team

(Ed’s note: This article was first written by West Midlands Polcie and submitted for publishing in the Oct/Nov newspaper on 11.10.24 – there have continued to be arrests made by Operation Skybridge.)

#OpSkybridge the CID crime team have been in the Erdington area for the last few weeks and [at the time of writing] have made ten arrests.

The team made up of plain clothed and uniformed officers have been a highly visible presence in and around Erdington following concerns raised by the local community.

Since 30 September they’ve made ten arrests [at the time of writing] for offences like possession of an offensive weapon, burglary, driving offences and possession of drugs with intent to supply.

This has also resulted in three people being charged, two people have been remanded in custody until their next court date.

The team work closely with the local neighbourhood team in each area to understand the priorities and concerns of local people. They provide a highly visible presence to deter criminal activity, make arrests and offer reassurance to the local community.

Inspector Shameem Ahmed, from Erdington’s Neighbourhood Team said: “It’s been great to have the additional support to deal with issues the community tells us needs looking at.

“But I want to reassure people that this is not the end of our work in the area, the local policing teams are still there and will continue to disrupt and deal with crime that affects our communities.”

For more from West Midlands Police, and advice on how to report a crime, visit www.westmidlands.police.uk

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NEWS: 59 year old man arrested for series of distraction burglaries that left an 88 year old Erdington woman in hospital

Words by Ed King / Pics supplied by West Midlands Police, or taken from Erdington Local archives

A man has been arrested for a series of distraction burglaries, one of which left an elderly Erdington woman in a “serious condition” in hospital.

West Midlands Police confirmed they now have a 59 year old man in custody in connection with the robberies, which took place across Birmingham and the West Midlands, after raiding an address in South Yardley on Thursday 10 October.

At the time of writing, West Midlands Police could not confirm or deny if any charges for assault had also been made.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told: “A 59-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of 16 burglaries in Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull and Wolverhampton. He’s currently in custody for questioning.

“We’ve been investigating a series of distraction burglaries over the last month with many targeting elderly victims. An 88-year-old woman was assaulted during one offence in Erdington.”

They added: “We’re grateful for all the support and information we’ve received from [the public] during our enquiries so far.”

Prior to any arrests being made, forces across the country had been chasing a 59 year old man named Bernard McDonagh (also known as Bernard Lovell) in connection with the crimes and for absconding from HMP Spring Hill – a Category D prison for male inmates in the village of Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire, over 60 miles from Erdington.

In previous a statement issued to Erdington Local, investigating officer Detective Constable Melanie Cannon from Thames Valley Police confirmed: “I am renewing our appeal for anyone with information on [Bernard McDonagh’s] whereabouts to contact Thames Valley Police online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43220388450.

“Colleagues at West Midlands Police are also searching for McDonagh in connection with distraction burglaries targeting vulnerable elderly women in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Solihull.”

West Midlands Police could not release the name of the 59 year old man they now have in custody for the distraction burglaries, but following the arrest they did confirm to Erdington Local: “Bernard McDonagh is no longer wanted.”

In public statement West Midlands Police added: “We still want information about the distraction burglaries, and to hear from anyone else who has been a victim.

“You can contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101, and quote 20/819250/24.

“Alternatively, report information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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NEWS: Police arrest early morning suspected burglar on Jerry’s Lane as part of Operation Skybridge

Words by Ed King / Pics from Google Maps or taken from Erdington Local archives

Jerry’s Lane, Erdington / Google Maps

Police have apprehended and arrested a man on suspicion of burglary in the early hours of Tuesday morning on Jerry’s Lane.

Responding to call over concerns a break in was taking place, officers from the recently formed Operation Skybridge responded quickly and arrived at the address at around 2am on 8 October.

After searching the scene and surrounding areas, a 28 year old man was found hiding in a nearby garden and arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Tesfa Bernard-Wheeler, from Selly Oak, was subsequently charged with the offence and remanded to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on 9 October.

A spokesperson from West Midlands Police told: “We’ve arrested a suspected burglar after promptly responding to a break-in in Birmingham this morning (8 October).

“We were alerted to a burglary taking place in Jerry’s Lane, Erdington, at around 2am. Officers from our Op Skybridge Team – part of the Birmingham Proactive Crime Team – quickly arrived and a suspect was seen leaving the area.”

Jerry’s Lane, Erdington / Google Maps

They added: “A 28-year-old man was found in a nearby garden and arrested on suspicion of burglary. He remains in police custody for questioning.

“The team, made up of plain clothes and uniformed officers, target areas where information is received about crime that affects our communities.”

Operation Skybridge was recently launched with officers from the Birmingham Proactive Crime Team, with a mandate to tackle street level and community crime such as robbery, assault, home invasions, burglaries, and drug dealing.

Initially deployed in Selly Oak and Erdington, the team behind Operation Skybridge wasted little time in making significant arrests.

Thief breaking in with a crowbar / Adobe Stock Images

On 5 October, the special police team announced they had arrested a man the caught on Erdington High Street with 40 wraps of cocaine hidden in his boxer shorts which lead them to make a wider seizure of drugs worth over £5000.

Parts of Erdington High Street have long been blighted by open air drug dealing, leaving many local residents and shoppers alike feeling unsafe in Erdington Town Centre and leading to contact calls for extra police presence

It is hoped by many in the area the new Operation Skybridge might start to turn the tide on crime on Erdington Town Centre and other crime hotspots across the North Birmingham constituency.

Sergeant Leon Butler from Operation Skybridge told: “We’ve carried out dozens of stop and searches, made 12 arrests, disrupted drug dealing on the streets and carried out numerous seizures of weapons, drugs and cars.

“Last week we stopped and searched a man in Erdington to find he had 40 wraps of cocaine in his boxers.

“Through investigation and subsequent warrants we executed, we made a higher value drugs seizure of £5,000. This extra legwork means there is a good chance he will face a greater sanction, which is really good news for the force and for the community.”

West Midlands Police – crest and logo

He added: “We’re also seizing large amounts of drugs from other offenders, arresting nominals for robberies and burglaries and we’ve seized numerous weapons which could have caused real harm out on the streets.

“This is pure proactive policing, causing maximum difficulty and disruption to those who are doing the most harm to our communities.”

West Midlands Police are asking Erdington locals to contact them about crime in the area by calling 101 and quoting #OpSkybridge, stating: “The intelligence we receive will be considered and acted upon.”

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NEWS: Police release name of wanted man after burglary leaves elderly Erdington woman in “serious condition” in hospital

Words by Ed King / Pics supplied by West Midlands Police, or taken from Erdington Local archives

Police have released the name of man they want to talk to in relation to a series of distraction burglaries – one of which left on elderly Erdington woman in a “serious condition” in hospital.

Detectives investigating a number of crimes across Birmingham, Sandwell, and Solihull, are looking for Bernard McDonagh – also known as Bernard Lovell.

Distraction burglaries are where the offender pretends to someone in a position of authority or trust – such as a council official, tradesperson, or a member of the emergency services – to gain access to the victim’s house and steal cash, jewellery, and personal belongings.

The recent spate across the region have told reports of a man posing as a city officer or member of the local water company telling the victims he needs entry to their home “to check their taps”, with elderly women being targeted.

After a number of enquires, detectives involved in the investigation want to speak to Bernard McDonagh and have asked the public to get in touch if they can help track him down.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told: “We need to speak to Bernard McDonagh, who’s also known as Bernard Lovell, aged 59, over the offences.

“Elderly women have been targeted by a man posing as a council official or an employee for a water company, stating that he needs to check their taps.”

They added: “During one of the incidents, an 88-year-old woman was assaulted at her address in Erdington, and she remains in hospital in a serious condition.

“Detectives have carried out a number of enquiries and now need to speak to McDonagh.”

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr Bernard McDonagh, also known as Bernard Lovell, have been asked to call 999 immediately – or by calling 101 quoting crime investigation number 20/819250/24.

Information can also be given via the West Midlands Police Live chat on the WMP website: www.westmidlands.police.uk

Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Video of distraction burglary suspect released by west Midlands Police

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NEWS: West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner to attend Kingstanding Crime Conference on 3 October

Words by Ed King / Pics by Ed King, Google Maps, and supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

Kingstanding Crime Conference poster / Supplied by Paulette Hamliton MP

This evening, 3 October, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, will be attending and speaking at the Kingstanding Crime Conference.

Held at the Kingstanding Leisure Centre, Dulwich Road, from 6pm to 7:30pm, the conference is free to attend and open to members of the general public.

Tickets can be secured by registering through a special Eventbrite page – click here, or type ‘Kingstanding Crime Conference Eventbrite’ into an online search engine.

Organised by Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton, who will also be speaking at the event, the conference has been set up to hear local residents’ concerns over crime in the area and “[lay] the groundwork for key community initiatives” which the MP hopes will “enhance safety and security in Kingstanding.”

Kingstanding Leisure Centre / Google Maps

Ms Hamilton recently became the representative for the entire Kingstanding Ward after the Boundary Commission changed the constituency boarders ahead of the 2024 General Election.

She told Erdington Local: “[Kingstanding residents] feel like nothing is being done” to tackle crime in the area, with a focus on “off-road bikes, gangs, and other forms of antisocial behaviour.”

She added: “I have been working tirelessly across our constituency to tackle these issues head-on. The Kingstanding Crime Conference is an important step in this effort.

“This event aims to bring together the police, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (WMPCC), local partners, and residents. The goal is to provide strong leadership and long-term solutions to the challenges we face in the area.

“Our ultimate aim is to create a community where everyone feels safe and proud to call it their home.”

Simon Foster talking to a member of the public on Erdington High Street / Ed King

After attending similar events in Castle Vale and Erdington Town Centre, Mr Foster – who is responsible for the region’s policing and anti-crime strategy – will now be meeting with Kingstanding residents.

As outlined on the conference agenda, Mr Foster will be telling Kingstanding locals what ‘resources have/can be allocated to help the police’ tackle crime in the area, before taking questions for 30 minutes.

The conference will also be a chance for Kingstanding locals to input into the region’s Police and Crime Plan, which is set to be published in 2025 and will guide the regional anti-crime strategy for the next four years.

Mr Foster will be inviting those attending the Kingstanding Crime Conference to complete a survey that will help shape the final plan.

Police and public / Ed King

Ahead of the Kingstanding Crime Conference, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner told Erdington Local: “The conference is an important opportunity to listen to local residents about matters that are of concern to them, discuss achievements, explain challenges and identify the further action required by West Midlands Police and partners, so that we all work together to prevent and tackle crime, to keep people, families, business and the local community safe and secure.”

He added: “I am in the process of an extensive and wide-ranging consultation, on the preparation of my new Police and Crime Plan.

“It is important the Plan reflects the needs, priorities and objectives of the people and communities of the West Midlands, when it comes to crime, policing and community safety.”

To book your free place at the Kingstanding Crime Conference, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/kingstanding-crime-conference-tickets

For more on the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner visit www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk

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

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Kingsthorne Year 5 visit Tally Ho Police Centre

Words by Paisley, Year 5 / Pics supplied by Kingsthorne Primary School

This September, Year 5 went on a 30 minute trip to Tally Ho Police Centre. First thing we saw were these incredibly trained police dogs. They knew who the bad person was and went straight to them so the police could arrest them. The police were very good actors; the dogs even found a mobile phone just from smell.

Next, we watched the police march and we even joined in. We learnt what you had to do when they shouted out the words. It sounded very confusing but when you learnt it, it wasn’t that hard. After that we went to the police van and they even shut the door for the full experience.

I felt like a real police officer. Then, we got to see what happened if there was a serious car crash. They took the whole car apart to get the injured person out. They took off the boot, the windows, roof… the whole thing. After, we finally had lunch.

Then after lunch, we got into our groups. My group went to Bob, which isn’t a real person but just as fun. We hit it with a bat and pepper sprayed it, but it was only water because real pepper spray would have been dangerous.

Next, we did a bleep test when you had to run to the line before the phone bleeped. Someone in our group even beat one of the police officer’s highest score.

Then, we went into a police boat and even tried on the helmets and vests they wear on the boat. After that, it was almost time to get back to school but we quickly got some freebies. We got pens, sweets, and pencils. Then it was time to go back to school.

We all had so much fun. The police even said we were trained and ready to be a police officer. Then, after a wonderful day we went home to tell our families all about the amazing stuff we did.

For more on Kingsthorne Primary School visit www.kingsthorneprimary.co.uk

Kingsthorne Primary School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email : [email protected]

 

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OPINION: Erdington Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

Words and pics supplied by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

This month has seen Cllr Gareth Moore and I, pictured at the recent consultation event at Erdington Library, continuing our campaign to save Erdington Library and working with Cllr Clifton Welch to try and also save Kingstanding and Perry Common Libraries.

It was therefore great to see so many people attending the recent consultation event at Erdington Library.

Erdington has had the largest attendance out of all the Council consultation events held so far. We will continue to be keeping the pressure on the Labour Administration at Birmingham City Council in the weeks ahead.

We’ve also had the latest High Street Task [Force] meeting discussing crime and anti-social behaviour. We discussed the good news that pressure for more police officers locally has started to deliver with the news the Erdington Police Team has been expanded with an extra officer.

Regarding tackling drug dealing, a dealer was arrested on High Street in early September with at least 12 wraps of drugs for sale on them.

We continue to push for additional CCTV on the High Street to help catch criminal behaviour, a CCTV application has been prepared by the Council’s Community Safety Team which is to be submitted to the CCTV team for them to progress.

Finally, we have raised the need to secure a renewal of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on the High Street which expires at the end of the year.

For more from Erdington’s Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Jones visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

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NEWS: Erdington emergency services left with “major gaps” in radio coverage if new mast is not approved

Words Erdington Local Editorial Team

Emergency services across Erdington and the surrounding areas could be left with “major gaps” in their mobile communications and radio coverage if plans for a new mast are not approved.

Airwave Solutions Ltd, which operates mobile communications networks for emergency services across the UK, currently has a mast on Edgemond Avenue, Pype Hayes.

However, following a Notice To Quit (NTQ) order the vital communications tower is being taken down by November 2024 to allow the landowner to proceed with plans for a residential development.

The potential loss of mobile and radio coverage for the emergency services on the front line has forced Airwave to submit an application to build a replacement mast at the Erdington Industrial Estate, Chester Road.

In supporting documents, the blue light services communications provider warns that not replacing the mast will put all emergency services at risk – with radio and mobile communication only possible from “a mixture” of sources “dependent upon precise location of officers, of vehicular sets and walkie talkies at street level.”

The organisation, who were bought out by Motorola in February 2016, further warn that without adequate communications infrastructure, radios used by the police, fire, and ambulance services would have “no penetration inside any buildings whatsoever.”

Airwave Solutions continued: “…officers in some areas would only have been able to communicate with each other when using car / fire engine / ambulance vehicle communication sets and no hand held calls will be able to made by officers who are either on the street or inside buildings, whilst in other areas some hand held walkie talkie units will be able to be used but only by officers on the street.”

They added: “The ramifications for public safety and national security if the site is not replaced will be extreme particularly at this precise moment in time of social unrest and rioting – potentially the police would have had no communications between officers and control rooms/commanders, leaving the residents of these areas and essential businesses in the districts unnecessarily more exposed to crime.

“Potentially the fire service would have been similarly exposed to no communications between fire fighters and unable to coordinate a response to any fire in this area; and this would have been no different for the ambulance service and would have been a severe risk to human life in and around the aforementioned town centre and surrounding districts.”

The planning application for the new blue light emergency services communication mast was submitted to Birmingham City Council in August and registered with the Planning Committee in the first week of September.

The application was made for a ‘replacement 24m high telecommunications mast with associated 3no. antennas, 2no. dishes, equipment cabinets and ancillary development works’, with any challenges or comments to be to the Planning Committee made by 3 October.

However, similar applications across the country have been held up by concerns from local residents, businesses, which lead to planning committee refusals or the application being eventually denied by the Planning Inspectorate.

Local elected officials listed as ‘consultees’ on the application are Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton (Labour), Cllr Basharat Mahmood (Pype Hayes Ward, Labour), and Birmingham Conservatives Leader Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington Ward, Conservatives).

To view the application online, click here to visit Birmingham City Council’s planning application portal and search using the reference: 2024/05239/PA.