Shisha Shop at 280 High Street, Erdington, with shutters down after Closue Order issued / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
Words by Erdington Local Editorial Team
Shisha Shop by Six Ways Island has been officially closed down, after West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards found the business was selling illegal vapes.
Promoting itself as offering ‘E-Cigs, Tobacco, Shisha & Accessories’, the business located at 280 High Street, Erdington, was targeted as part of the Operation Fearless initiative that started in Erdington Town Centre in January 2025.
Having accumulated enough evidence to establish the independent retailer was selling illegal vapes, West Midlands Police and Trading Standards finally secured a Closure Order from Birmingham Magistrates Court to force down the shutters on 11 August 2026.
Under Section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a Closure Order can be issued to shut down a business for up to three months if it is believed anyone at the address ‘has engaged, or is likely to engage, in criminal behaviour on the premises’.
Operation Fearless and Council notice on shutters at Shisha Shop, 280 High Street, Erdington / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
The enforcement at 280 High Street, Erdington, was based on evidence gathered by Operation Fearless and enacted as part of Operation Cloud.
Public Health were also consulted, likely due to the potential health risks around the sale of illegal vapes, which are produced and sold without regulation.
Illegal vapes have been known to contain excess levels of nicotine, exceeding the legal UK limit, and can emit hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein from cheaply produce heating coils.
A study into the dangers of illegal vapes at the University of Dery also found the under the counter products can contain dangerous levels of lead, nickel, chromium, and cadmium – which can impair brain development.
Erdington Wrad Councillor Robert Alden on Erdington High Street with police / Photograph supplied by Cllr Alden
Following the closure of Shisha Shop, Erdington Ward Councillors Robert Alden and Gareth Moore told local residents through social media: “We have been pushing for tougher enforcement on Erdington High Street from Birmingham Police and Birmingham City Council, therefore we are delighted to see this enforcement action being taken.”
They added: “We will continue working with the Erdington BID to help hold the Council and Police to account and ensure that the enforcement action needed is taken to keep our High Street safe for local residents.”
Erdington Town Centre and BID Manager, Ed King, also told: “The sale of illegal vapes and smoking related products pose a real threat to people’s health – as well as the potential for children to access products legitimate and ethical business would not sell to them.
“Any business on Erdington High Street selling illegal products must stop or be forced to stop. It’s that simple.”
They added: “Operation Fearless showed what robust policing in the area can achieve, but when they left some of the problems started to return – with no effective strategy in place for the local team.
“Although, thankfully, Erdington’s new Sargeant [Sgt Millard] is now in post and has been rebuilding a strong Neighbourhood Police Team – cracking skulls and just getting on with the job.
“Erdington BID, working alongside Councillor Alden and Councillor Moore, will do everything to support Sgt Millard and her team – and we hope West Midlands Police are prepared to do the same.”
(l-r) Erdington Neighbourhood Police Seargent Millard, Town Centre Manager Ed King, Erdington BID events team and Community Market stall holders / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
Directors of M1 Shisha Shop Ltd and A1 Shisha Shop Ltd, both registered at Companies House as retailers with the trading address 280 High Street Erdington, were issued with the official closure order.
Two Directors of Starborn International Limited, a property firm based in West London, were also issued with the closure order – alongside two further individuals, one based in Great Barr and one in Erdington.
The head of the of the Birmingham Liberal Democrats group, Cllr Roger Harmer (Acocks Green), was voted in as Leader of Birmingham City Council at a Full Council meeting yesterday.
Convening in the Council chamber at 6pm on 5 June, all 101 councillors from across the city were invited to attend and vote for the individual they wanted to take up the top job – which brings with it a special Responsibility Allowance of £56,579 on top of the Basic Allowance granted to all councillors of £19,952.
The vote for Council leader was called after no party managed to secure a majority in the recent Local Elections held in May 2026, with no majority coalition subsequently formed.
Official prepare to vote for city leader in Birmingham Council Chamber / Photograph by Ed King
Cllr Harmer was nominated by Birmingham Green Party leader, Cllr Julien Pritchard (Druids Heath & Monyhull), as part of a minority coalition between the two parties and independent councillors from the Better Birmingham Independent Group.
Also nominated, by members of their own parties, were the leader of the Birmingham Local Conservatives Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington) and the leader of the Birmingham Reform UK group Cllr Jex Parkin (Kingstanding).
Following the nominations, a 20 minute recess was taken before the three candidates were allowed five minutes to address the chamber and deliver a speech as to why they would be right person to form a Cabinet and lead the city’s elected officials.
Cllr Roger Harmer addresses chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
Speaking in the order they were nominated, Cllr Harmer was the first to address the chamber, presenting a “coalition built on partnership” and asking those present to allow him to establish a Cabinet that would “put right the failures of the past” – seemingly referring to the 14 year long Labour run administration which ended with the city effectively declaring bankruptcy and an unresolved bin strike.
Addressing the city’s elected official next was Cllr Robert Alden, who began by declaring Birmingham “the greatest city in the world” before reminding the room and those hoping to govern that “just blaming the failures of the last 14 years will not be accepted” by the city’s residents.
Cllr Robert Alden addresses chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
Cllr Alden further warned against the “frankly geographical [political] spilt across the city” following the recently Council elections, which saw concentrations of elected councillor from both political parties and independents in certain areas of Birmingham.
“None of us have a majority,” added Cllr Alden, “and no one over the next four years [until the next Council elections] should forget that.”
Cllr Alden’s speech received applause from across the Birmingham Council Chamber.
Last to address the room was the recently appointed head of Birmingham’s Reform UK group, Cllr Jex Parkin, who leads the lion’s share of Birmingham’s elected officials – overseeing 23 councillors, four more than Birmingham’s Green Party which sits as the second political group in the city.
Cllr Jex Park sits with Birmingham Reform councillors in Birmingham Council Chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
After describing how Birmingham is still “deciding how we interpret on of the most significant results”, which also saw the Birmingham Labour Party lose 48 councillors, Cllr Parkin called for “co-operation across all political boarders” and warned against a “chaotic coalition of musical chairs.”
Leader of both the largest and newest political party in the city, Cllr Parkin closed his argument by listing the attributes that Birmingham Reform councillors could bring to their potential governorship of the city, and declaring “life experience beats political experience each and every time.”
Councillors present were then asked to voice their votes for the Council Leader, a process which had been postponed after the previous Full Council meeting in May ran out of time due to the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor Zaker Choudhry.
After the results were counted, Cllr Roger Harmer won with a clear majority of 40 votes – against 19 votes for Cllr Robert Alden and 18 votes for Cllr Jex Parkin.
Birmingham City Council House, as viewed behind Heras fencing / Photgraph by Ed King
Analysis of the results showed that the Liberal Democrats and Green Party has used their party whips effectively, retaining support from all their elected officials – alongside those from the Better Birmingham Independent Group.
The Birmingham Local Conservatives group also received votes from all its 16 councillors, alongside additional support from independents Cllr Amar Khan (Stockland Green) and Rinkal Shergill (Holyhead).
Birmingham’s Reform UK party however only received 18 votes from its body of 23 councillors, with their recently elected Kingstanding Councillor Graham Green absent from the meeting.
Of the last two remaining Labour councillors in the Erdington constituency, Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale) abstained and Cllr Mick Brown (Gravelly Hill) was absent.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also received one vote, although it was not officially counted in the final results.
Erdington litter Busters have been awarded a £500 donation by property developers McCarthy Stone, to help the local community group “continue to grow, thrive, and be there to clean up Erdington for years to come” – according to McCarthy Stone Business Development Manager, Declan Fishwick.
The donation comes from the McCarthy Stone ‘Happier, Healthier Project’ – which hopes to help community groups in and around the areas of their residential developments, with small bursaries and financial support.
Erdington Litter Busters were selected by the property developer from amongst the constituency’s strong and varied portfolio of community and volunteer groups, following research into locally led activities and organisations.
Members of Erdington Litter Busters by the Village Green on Erdingotn High Street / Photograph supplied by McCann Birmingham
McCarty Stone had previously donated £500 to both the Erdington Foodbank, operating out of Six Ways Baptist Church, and Friends of Witton Lakes – as well as gifting £2000 to Birmingham Hospice, who run the cherished John Taylor Hospice on Grange Road in Erdington.
Ruth Dillon, Chair of Erdington Litter Busters, told Erdington Local: “It’s really quite humbling that we’re just a community group in Erdington and this big company has sought us out without any prompting form us and have given us a very kind donation.”
She added: “But what we’ve found [we’ve got] from today is not just the cheque, but we’ve made a new friend there. They’ve invited us to the project (Botham Place), there’s new ideas that we can work collaboratively on, and that is going to be really important – a lasting link with a new company coming into Erdington.”
(l-r) Ruth Dillon and Dawn Edwards – from Erdington Litter Busters, Cllr Robert Alden, Nicky Broda – from McCarthy Stone / Photograph suppliued by McCann Birmingham
Erdington Litter Busters were awarded the £500 donation by representatives from McCarty Stone at a special presentation on the Erdington Village Green, with members of the litter picking and green space advocates joined by Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden.
Celebrating the recognition of Erdington’s volunteer community, Cllr Alden told Erdington Local: “Erdington Litter Busters are a wonderful organisation who have been making a real difference across the local area – helping green up our green spaces. And what’s wonderful to see is that McCarthy and Stone have come into the area and are now committing to supporting local groups.”
He added: “And that’s really good from businesses coming into Erdington, not just investing in the fabric of the place but also investing in the community of the place – and that’s really important for helping to make Erdington an even better place to live.”
Sign for Erdington Litter Busters on Reservoir Road, Erdingto / Photograph by Ed King
McCarthy Stone is currently constructing a new retirement and residential apartment block on Orphanage Road, called Botham Place, which a spokesperson for the developer states will “offer a mix of one and two-bedroom energy-efficient retirement apartments, featuring private patios or Juliet balconies.”
Personally handing over the cheque to the Erdington Litter Busters on Erdington High Street, McCarty Stone’s Mr Fishwick, added: “We build our own communities, but we like to push into the community that already exists and make sure we’re all one part of Erdington.
“Part of doing that is we have a small sponsorship budget that we like to distribute to local initiatives in the area – and when we were doing some research, we saw the Erdington Litter Busters and we thought fantastic. It aligns massively with what we do as a business, and we wanted to give our support.”
Artist’s impression of new Botham Place development on Orphange Road, Erdington / Graphic taken form McCarthy Stone promotional material
Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden has celebrated the “huge honour” of being re-elected as Leader of the Birmingham Conservative Group – following a ballot at the local party’s recent annual general meeting (AGM).
Announcing the appointment via social media, Cllr Alden was quick to thank members of the Birmingham Conservatives for “unanimously” reappointing him to the top spot – which he has held since first being elected in 2014.
Cllr Alden further celebrated the appointment of Cllr Ewan Mackay (Sutton Roughley) as Deputy Leader and Cllr Adrian Delaney (Rubery & Rednal Ward) as the local party Whip – alongside his running mate in the Erdington Ward, Cllr Gareth Moore, being elected as Group Secretary.
Cllr Alden was also quick to challenge “bankrupt Labour’s [Birmingham City Council] double whammy of higher taxes for fewer services” and promised the Birmingham Conservative Group “will continue to stand up for residents being hit” by the city’s increased Council Tax.
(l-r) Cllr Ewan Mackey adn Cllr Robert Alden at Birmingham Conservatives AGM / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Conservatives
Following in his family’s political footsteps, Cllr Alden was first elected as Erdington Ward Councillor in 2006 and has confidently retained the seat for nearly two decades.
Cllr Alden’s father, John Alden was a significant figure in local politics, having represented the Harborne Ward as a Conservative Councillor for 33 years – from when he was first elected in 1983 until 2012, then after being re-elected in 2014 until his retirement in 2018.
Honorary Alderman John Alden sadly passed away earlier in the year, with the news of his death receiving heartfelt condolences from political figures across the aisle.
Cllr Alden’s mother, Cllr Deirdre Alden, was first elected to represent the Conservatives in the Edgbaston Ward in 1999 and remains a prominent and well respected figure in local politics.
(l-r) Cllr Gareth Moore and Cllr Robert Alden on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King
Following his re-election as Leader of the Birmingham Conservative Group, Cllr Robert Alden told Erdington Local: “It is a huge honour to be a Councillor for Erdington and Leader of the Opposition.
“I am incredibly grateful to the trust and faith fellow Councillors have put in me to lead the Opposition Local Conservative Group at Birmingham City Council.”
He added: “Looking ahead to the all-out elections in Birmingham in 2026 the ruling Labour group only need to lose 12 seats to lose control, Birmingham Local Conservatives are best placed to win those 12 seats and deliver real change for local residents and that is what we’ll be working to do.”
Alongside being Leader of the Birmingham Conservative Group, Cllr Robert Alden also sits on the Council Business Management Committee, Employment Committee, General Assembly of the Local Government Association, and WMCA Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee – alongside observer member positions on further committees.
Operation Fearless team on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by Operation Fearless
Operation Fearless has made a significant impact on Erdington High Street since it launched in January this year, with 140 people arrested so far and the seizure of dangerous weapons and hard drugs from in and around Erdington Town Centre.
West Midlands Police have also now established a dedicated Erdington High Street police team, with a Sergeant leading six officers focused on crime and anti-social behaviour in the retail and shopping hub.
Giving Erdington Local readers the latest information on the special policing initiative, Detective Superintendent Jim Munro – the officer leading the Operation Fearless team – has a direct update for Erdington locals and residents.
Words by DSI Jim Munro / Pics supplied by Operation Fearless
Operation Fearless lead Detective – Detective Superintendent Jim Munro / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
“We’ve made a really big step in making Erdington High Street a safer place. Since January, we’ve arrested over 140 people. This is a huge number and shows that we’re really listening to what you’ve been telling us.
“You were worried, and rightly so, about feeling unsafe walking down the High Street. You told us about shops being targeted, about drugs causing problems, and about the fear of violence. We heard you loud and clear.
“We’ve also taken dangerous weapons off the streets of Erdington before they could do any harm, seizing a live firearm, a zombie knife and multiple other weapons in separate incidents.
“We’ve arrested dangerous individuals for a whole range of offences including – robbery, burglary, assault, shop theft and much more. Other successful arrests saw one man arrested for child sex offences, and another for domestic kidnap.
Officers talking to members of the public on Erdington High Street / Photograhp taken by Ed King
“This success isn’t just because of the police. It’s because of you, the people who live here in Erdington.
“You called us when you saw something suspicious, you shared information with us, and you trusted us to do our jobs. Without your help, without you being our eyes and ears on the ground, we couldn’t have achieved this. We’re so thankful for all your support.
“And the good news doesn’t stop there. We’re hearing from you that things are changing. You’re telling us you feel safer in the area and businesses are noticing a real difference too. That’s exactly the kind of change we wanted to see.
“But we know we can’t stop now. We need to keep this momentum going, keep pushing for a safer Erdington. That’s why we’re putting a dedicated High Street team in place.
DSI Munro, PCC Simon Foster, Paulette Hamilton MP talking to staff in Iceland on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
“At the end of March, I had the privilege of walking the High Street with MP Paulette Hamilton and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster. We discussed the progress and future plans for Op Fearless.
“We all agree that while we’ve made strides, there’s still more to be done. Regeneration takes time, and we’re committed to tackling crime and making Erdington a place where everyone feels safe and proud.
“I’m optimistic about the future, especially with the collaboration we’re building between the new High Street team, the council, BID, and our security partners.
Erdington Police Station on Sutton New Road / Photgraph by Ed King
“The new team, consisting of six officers and a Sergeant, will be a constant presence on the High Street. They’ll be walking the streets daily, engaging with residents, and ensuring a visible and reassuring presence. Their focus will be on building relationships and maintaining a safe environment for everyone.
“As the Fearless team prepares to move to its next location at the end of this month, please know that our commitment to Erdington remains strong.
“While the team will be physically moving, we’ll continue to provide support and resources to the new High Street team, ensuring a seamless transition and sustained efforts to reduce crime.
Police tape on Erdington High Street as officers conduct investigation / Photograph by Ed King
“We know how important it is for you to stay informed about what’s happening in your community. That’s why we’re changing things up a bit. We want to keep that line of communication open and strong. So, from now on, you’ll be hearing directly from the person leading the charge on the High Street.
“I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be handing over this column to Sergeant Gary Grove, who will be heading up the new High Street team. They’ll be your go to source for updates on the work being done in the area.
“I encourage you all to engage with Sergeant Grove and their team. Share your feedback, voice your concerns, and continue to be an active part of making Erdington better.
(Left) Drugs seized by officers during search of Kenyjah James car and residential address, (right) Kenyjah James following arrest for possession with intent to supply / Pics supplied by West Midlands Police
An Erdington drug dealer has been jailed for possession with intent to supply Class A narcotics including crack cocaine and heroin, taking thousands of pounds of dangerous drugs off the streets.
The arrest and processing through the courts comes as the Operation Fearless policing initiative continues to clampdown on crime in Erdington Town Centre – working alongside the recently introduced Erdington High Street police team and local partners.
Appearing before Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday 10 April, Kenyjah James, aged 25, pleaded guilty to the charges against him and was sentenced to four years in prison – avoiding a longer term for a crime that could have seen him face life imprisonment, based on the amount of drugs and his role within the supply chain.
Officers on patrol on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
Operation Fearless and High Street officers apprehended James after responding to reports of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour on Tuesday 25 February, after the police were alerted to a man damaging a car park gate.
Whilst attending the scene, officers detained James and searched his vehicle – discovering around 190 ‘wraps’ of both cocaine and heroin and two mobile phones, with potential links to a drug dealing operation.
Following a further search of his home address, police officers discovered yet more Class A and Class B narcotics and charged James with possession and intent to supply a controlled substance.
Sign outside Birmingham Crown Court / Photgraph by Ed King
After sentencing, a spokesperson from West Midlands Polcie confirmed: “A man [has] been jailed for drug offences after he was arrested by our Operation Fearless officers in Erdington.
“Kenyjah James, aged 25, was sentenced to four years in prison when appeared at Birmingham Crown Court last Thursday (10 April).”
They added: “He had pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing Class A drugs including crack cocaine and heroin, with intent to supply.
“The drugs were… confirmed as being approximately 190 wraps of cocaine and heroin, with an estimated value of around £2,000.”
Operation Fearless has been in action across Erdington Town Centre since January 2025, making over 140 arrests (at the time of writing) and stamping down on crime and anti-social behaviour in the once troubled retail district.
Operation Fearless team on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
Handing over from the main Operation Fearless team, as they begin to deploy officers in other hot spots across the city, Erdington High Street has also welcomed a dedicated police team – including a Seargent and six uniformed officers that will focus on crime in and around the Town Centre.
The Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) is also “beefing up” their High Street security and leading a High Street Community Team of local partners and community groups, to further support the incoming High Street police team and retail hub.
A spokesperson from the Erdington BID told: “The extra policing we’ve seen this year, under Operation Fearless and now with the new High Street police team, has made a significant impact on the crime in Erdington Town Centre – but it needs our support to make it last.
Rainbow falls on Erdington Town Centre sign by Six Ways Island / Photograph by Ed King
“We will be beefing up our High Street security, who have a strong relationship with the retail community here and know many of the repeat offenders – and who can directly support both the Operation Fearless and new High Street police team through joint patrols and intelligence sharing.
“We will also be establishing a High Street Community Team, made up of local community groups and volunteers – to help with everything from supporting a series of family friendly events on the High Street, to litter picking and looking after the green spaces.”
They added: “Erdington High Street was once one of the busiest in the city, and whilst many businesses have moved online we still want a Town Centre that is a vibrant and family friendly place to shop and socialise.
“Following in the footsteps of Operation Fearless, the new dedicated High Street police team – supported by our Street Wardens and local community groups – gives us a chance to break the cycle of crime and make a real and lasting change in the heart of Erdington.”
To find out more about working with the Erdington Business Improvement District to support the High Street and Town Centre email: erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.com
Bins and bin bags uncolllected on Mason Road, Erdington / PIc by Ed King
On 11 March 2025, hundreds of council refuse workers took industrial action, joining the Unite the Union picket line and effectively halting the collection of household rubbish and recycling across the city.
The issues were similar to those Unite members voted to strike on in June 2017, September 2017, December 2018, and February 2019, as was the media fallout that followed – with pictures of rubbish piling up on city streets and reports of “rats the size of cats” in the national press.
Erdington Local takes a look at the history behind the revolving door bin strikes that have come back to haunt, and taunt, Birmingham City Council, and asks – what keeps going wrong with Birmingham’s Waste Management Service?
‘Cat-sized rats are attacking our cars’, ran the BBC headline, framing an article published on 26 February this year.
Two weeks later and a reported 350 Birmingham City Council (BCC) refuse workers would go on strike, leaving bin bags to pile up on city streets and vermin of all shapes and sizes to burrow their way into the conversation.
“The rats are huge,” explained one local resident, when quizzed further by the BBC reporter, “they are like small cats and their tails are really chunky.”
A media monster is born. Or reborn. And the Labour run council is once again at war with Unite the Union. But why is Birmingham back in crisis over its bin collections? And why is one of the largest trade unions in the UK, and a onetime close Labour ally and donor, now bringing the city to its knees? Again.
Bins and bin bags uncolllected on Mason Road, Erdington / PIc by Ed King
The answer to this immediate problem can be found from looking through the last decade of how Birmingham City Council has wrestled with Unite – the union who represent the majority of council employers working in the Waste Management Service.
The Birmingham bin strikes are viewed by many as a case of history repeating itself, and in order to successfully to navigate a future path the council must learn from its mistakes of the past.
In 2017 it was the threat of losing 107 Grade 3 Leading Hands roles from the waste collection trucks, workers with a safety brief who were paid more than their counter parts, and today it’s the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.
The Leader of Birmingham City Council has changed too, but it is the actions of Birmingham Labour a decade ago that lie at the root of this dispute.
According to one senior member of Unite the Union’s West Midlands branch, commenting anonymously for fear of reprisals, the rot began to set in when Sir Abert Bore was replaced by Cllr John Clancy as Council Leader in 2015 – seeing a man The Birmingham Post once dubbed a “leftwing firebrand” handing the reigns to a Mancunian lawyer turned Brummie councillor.
According to our source, Unite top brass were rattled by the new tone of Clancey’s Cabinet, and the “dominance in Birmingham” the union had previously enjoyed was perceivably under threat. Whereas in the salad days of Sir Bore’s administration Unite could “just [go] to him and we’d have got what we wanted” they now faced elected officials who would not “bow to that pressure.”
Birmingham’s a big patch for many civic partners and showing strength in the face of administrative action is an important vertebra in the backbone of any West Midlands union official. Especially if your workforce is employed by the council.
At the time of the first bin strike in 2017, Unite had brought in Howard Beckett as Regional Director, who our source explains had been “sent to the West Midlands to make a name for himself”. The then General Secretary, Len McCluskey, was set to step down and top tier Unite members had their eyes on the job. And for Beckett, argues our source, the Birmingham bin strike “was his baby.”
So, when in spring 2017 a proposed restructuring of the Waste Management Service – in an effort to save £5m in operational costs – called for the redundancy of 107 Grade 3 Leading Hands roles, Unite, led by Beckett, went on the attack.
Birmingham City Council argued they had to restructure, as they still do today, over concerns of equal pay – with potential liabilities across the 12000 strong Council workforce a dangerous thundercloud on the horizon.
(That burst on 5 September 2023, bringing with it unprecedented cuts to Council services, sales of public assets, and a near 20% rise in Council Tax over two years.)
And whilst back in 2017 BCC claimed they were offering equivalent roles or severance packages to anyone made redundant, as again they still do today, Unite stuck to their stance the redundancies were unlawful. The Council disagreed, so Unite the Union members working in Waste Management were balloted over industrial action and went on strike starting 30 June 2017.
Initially Cllr Clancey attempted to placate Unite with the now infamous ‘beer and sandwiches’ deal, where he met with union officials through the national Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) on 15 August 2017 to sign off a settlement.
But without official Cabinet support, BCC’S then interim Chief Executive, Stella Manzie, called on the Leader to “‘not progress the proposal” and return to the negotiating table.
Fostering a direct relationship with Unite, Cllr Clancy candidly informed Howard Beckett via text that he was “working most of every day to outflank inappropriate [city] officers” and how “a pincer manoeuvre from others will help specifically to do this”.
Then on 31 August 2017, John Clancy texts Howard Beckett again, explaining “the mood [in Birmingham Labour] has changed drastically” and it is “inevitable” that the “redundancies will have to go ahead straight away”. A curious division of loyalties that would begin the corrosion of the senior council officials, elected or not, and send the city further into bin collection chaos.
On 1 September, Unite the Union members working in Waste Management went on strike.
Ten days later, on 11 September, John Clancey resigned as Leader of Birmingham City Council.
Birmingham City Council Town House / Image from Adobe Stock
BCC and Unite would end up arguing it out in the High Court – where one judge commented in September 2017, after the redundancies were eventually blocked: “How a public body with 12,000 employees can operate sensibly with this degree of chaos between its senior personnel is remarkable.”
And it is here the game of cat and mouse, or perhaps rat, would repeat over the next two administrations.
Erdington MP Paullette Hamilton sat on Clancey’s Cabinet at the time. She explains: “You have to understand, formally, nothing was passed by cabinet. John Clancy went into a meeting… with the unions, [and] decisions were taken at the time. But the other members of the cabinet were not there.”
She adds: “The point was [John Clancey] didn’t understand what a Cabinet structure meant. He felt being the Leader he could go away and do what he felt was right and the Cabinet would just fall in line. And unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
Jump forward to today’s widely reported on rubbish and the argument over restructuring the city’s Waste Management Service remains much the same, as does the outcome of such a service deadlock. Piles of black plastic bins on the pavement and the circling folklore of vermin big enough to bite your pet Poodle.
Unite is now run by Sharon Graham, who was elected as General Secretary in 2021 and – in an open letter to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – has stated the “current escalation [in the dispute] increasingly looks like a declaration of war on these [Birmingham City Council Waste Management] workers”. Tough but consistent rhetoric.
There are some more positive noises being made today, however, with Birmingham City Council declaring the situation a “major incident’ and “public health crisis’ – paving the way for BCC to instigate contingency plans and bring in external help to literally clean up the mess.
Rubbish and waste increasing, uncollected due to workers strike UK / Image from Adobe Stock
This also allows Birmingham City Council to seek support from central government, and, as some around the campfire predict, take a more aggressive stance against the union who has blocked them over Waste Management reform for the last decade.
And this has been mirrored recently in Westminster. Following reports striking workers were blocking the waste collection trucks leaving a plant in Tyseley, the Health Minister, Wes Streeting, told: “I understand industrial disputes happen. I understand people have the right to withdraw their labour. That’s part and parcel of industrial relations in our country. But what is not acceptable is allowing these sorts of… unsanitary conditions… to occur on people’s streets.”
But one thing’s for sure, the bin strike debate is keeping our local Council Chamber full of fireworks and festivities – with one plucky member of the public dressing up in a full body rat costume to ask their question about taxes on pest control at the Full Council meeting on 8 April.
Shots were fired over strategy too, with Birmingham Conservatives Leader Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington Ward) challenging the current Birmingham Labour Leader, Cllr John Cotton (Glebe Farm and Tile Hill Ward) over his management of the crisis.
In a barbed exchange in the Council Chamber, Cllr Alden quizzed when there are “over 21000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish [on Birmingham streets] and pest control experts… warning the city could face a rat epidemic” why weren’t opposition leaders being brought in to help find a solution.
Cllr Robert Alden in exchange with Cllr John Cotton over waste managemnet startegy at Full Council meeting on 8 April / Image taken from BCC webcast
After initially responding it was “absolutely appropriate” the Gold Command – a special taskforce set up to tackle the issue – were “reporting into the political leadership of this council at regular intervals”, Cllr Cotton became visibly more irate at the “heated rhetoric” coming from his Conservative counterpart.
In a curt and final riposte, Cllr Cotton quipped he was “not going to get involved in… party banter and nonsense” and that “the priority here is to reach a resolution to this dispute.” A possibly welcome tough line as wider negotiations continue both in and outside the Town House.
There are signs the end will come, and BCC have been using the public health agenda to bring in temporary support whilst the strike continues. So bins are being emptied.
But whilst the Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage, and Tourism – Cllr Sulaman (Hall Green North, Labour) – is confident Birmingham will still be seen as “a clean, welcoming, and exciting destination,” the embarrassing media cycle continues.
Cllr John Cotton in exchange with Cllr Robert Alden over waste managemnet startegy at Full Council meeting on 8 April / Image taken from BCC webcast
Over in Erdington, however, people have been showing the national press a positive display of community in the face of adversity – as those living in the B24 and B23 postcodes so clearly showed in another recent time of crisis.
In a visit to a mobile rubbish collection point on Grange Road, as piles of rubbish are being set alight in other areas of the city, the BBC reported how in Erdington “the scene is all very well-mannered”. All this North Birmingham constituency needs now is a Vera Lynn song on repeat and a good stock of tinned food.
And the “120 new vehicles with state of the art technology that will truly modernise the service” promised by the Council Leader, if they have a spare afternoon.
Teacher Mollie Duncanson and Erdington Academy students with Erdington Councillors Robert Alden and Gareth Moore, Police Commissioner Simon Foster, Florence Cadge and Cllr Waseem Zaffar of Birmingham Healthy Air Coalition / Pic supplied by Gary Phleps Communications
Students at Erdington Academy have sent a “courageous” message to local leaders about air pollution and road safety at their school – according one of the city’s key spokespeople over transport and clean air.
On Friday, 14 March, pupils from the academy, which is part of Fairfax Multi Academy Trust, welcomed the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster and three Birmingham councillors – to show them first-hand the impact of traffic at the school gates on Kingsbury Road.
Attending the school alongside the PCC were Erdington Ward representatives Cllr Gareth Moore (Conservative) and Cllr Robert Alden (Conservative).
Cllr Waseem Zaffar and Florence Cadge of Birmingham Healthy Air Coalition outside the Erdingotn Academy gates / Pic supplied by Gary Phleps Communications
The Erdington councillors were also joined by Cllr Waseem Zarrar (Lozells, Labour) who is part of the Birmingham Healthy Air Coalition – a collective of health, transport and environmental organisations with a focus on combatting air pollution.
Cllr Zaffar was on the Sustainability and Transport Overview & Scrutiny Committee at Birmingham City Council until 2025 and was a key advocate of the city’s recent transport plan – which saw planters and concrete blocks pedestrianise residential roads in local neighbourhoods, and the introduction of the Clean Air Zone charges in Birmingham City Centre.
The visit from the local dignitaries to Erdington Academy was the culmination of six months of extracurricular workshops with the students – as delivered by Birmingham Healthy Air Coalition at the academy.
Year 10 student Brycen Olakunle explained: “I think they listened to us. We hope that the councillors can refer our situation to local engineers to get a pedestrian crossing installed outside the school on the main road.”
They added: “We would also like road markings to be repainted, and improved signage around our school.”
Traffic congestion on Kingsbury Road outside Erdington Acadmy / Pic supplied by Gary Phelps Communication
After working with the students, Cllr Zaffar told: “It’s amazing the way the schoolchildren have come forward and identified a real problem which affects their daily life and have been courageous enough to speak to officials who make those key decisions.
“It’s brilliant to see young people having the confidence to challenge politicians and hold them to account, and also to see the politicians responding.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster also told: “I’m very impressed with the work the children have done and seeing them step up to raise their concerns. They communicated the issues excellently.
“This is an issue we see across the region, and we must ensure we are tackling it. It’s a top priority for West Midlands Police, as outlined in our new plan for 2025, which will soon be published.”
Erdington Academy students students explain to visitors the challenges of road safety and air pollution at the school gates each day / Pic supplied by Gary Phelps Communications
After speaking to the Erdington Academy students, Cllr Gather Moore (Erdington Ward, Conservative) said: “It’s good to see the children are raising the issues that impact them on a daily basis, and it’s very concerning to hear that accidents have happened.
“I look forward to bringing these issues to the council and working with the police and council to do whatever we can to improve road safety and make children feel safe.”
Cllr Robert Alden added: “It’s great to see the passion of the children who want to ensure their journeys to and from school are as safe as possible.”
Drugs seized by Operation Fearless after man arrested on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
Police from Operation Fearless have seized “thousands of pounds” worth of drugs and weapons in a series of arrests and early morning raids across Erdington.
Acting on intelligence from the local community, the Op Fearless team bust down the door to a residential address on 31 January – uncovering an illegal cannabis grow and “several weapons” at the Erdington home.
As confirmed by West Midlands Police, one man was arrested and processed on “suspicion of drug offences” with an investigation continuing after the further discovery of weapons.
Two further addresses were also raided with two more men arrested, with both wanted by police for a recall to prison – meaning they had broken previous parole conditions and would be sent back into custody.
Operation Fearless in early morning raid on residential address in Erdington / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
Studies have shown cannabis plants can each yield around 10-15 ounces of the Class B drug, with a street sale value of up to £3000. It is unconfirmed how many plants were discovered at the Erdington address but a cannabis factory can potentially squeeze hundreds of plants into a residential home.
Operation Fearless were also cracking down on crime on Erdington High Street and arrested a man on 3 February who the police confirmed “was spotted on the High Street in possession of cannabis.”
Shoppers and businesses alike have reported people on Erdington High Street taking and selling drugs openly, seemingly without fear of reprisal.
Following the initial arrest, Operation Fearless then raided the man’s home addresses in Erdington with West Midlands Police further confirming they “recovered thousands of pounds worth of drugs” – as pictured at the top of this article.
Cannabis plants found by Operation Fearless in early morning raid on residential address in Erdington / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
Whilst the image taken of the illegal drugs haul shows the police had mainly found what is suspected to be cannabis flower and cannabis resin in the raid, which are both rated as Class B by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, it also shows several bags of white and green powder that may be a Class A drug such as cocaine, crack cocaine, or methamphetamine (crystal meth).
Criminals charged for possession with intent to supply or distribute Class B drugs can face up to 14 years behind bars, as can those responsible for growing cannabis at home.
Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs can result in over seven years behind bars or even life imprisonment.
Operation Fearless Lead Detective Superintendent Jim Munro talking to media on Erdington High Street / Pic by Joe Marchant
Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, leading Operation Fearless, said: “We’re continuing to focus on crimes we know matter most to people living in Erdington.
“Local residents tell us they’re concerned about drug-related offences around the High Street and our officers are conducting specific operations to target this.”
He added: “Working in partnership with other policing teams, the council, and community groups – we will not let up in trying to make Erdington a safer place to live, work, and visit.”
Operation Fearless was officially launched on 7 January 2025, following Operation Skybridge, bringing a specially recruited team of officers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on Erdington High Street and around the Town Centre.
Supported by an investment of £880,000 from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC0), with the funds taken from proceeds of crime, the special policing initiative is being launched in Erdington before moving on to other areas across the city.
Operation Fearless team in group photo on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
DCI Jim Munro previously confirmed to Erdington Local the Op Fearless team “will continue to work here in Erdington as long as necessary” to hand the High Street safely back to local partners and the Erdington Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT).
Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden, who sits as Director of the Erdington Business Improvement District (EBID), also told: “Hopefully [Operation Fearless] can crack down on the serious anti-social behaviour and crime that’s been taking place on the High Street.
“Residents and businesses have been really concerned about that over the last few years, and we’ve been raising this with the police.”
He added: “And the key thing is, now there are all these additional officers here, is making sure both businesses and residents report any crime that they see.
“Because that information will get used and pooled together with other intelligence that other people submit and then enable [the police] to carry out raids, and to get warrants, and put people behind bars.”
Operation Fearless officers on patrol on Erdington High Street / Pic by Joe Marchant
Since officially launching on Tuesday 7 January, officers from Operation Fearless have been making a raft of arrests across Erdington – apprehending criminals from shoplifters to armed carjackers.
The Op Fearless team have also seized weapons from suspects on the street, raided the address of a suspected drug dealer, and used “community intelligence” to catch wanted and violent criminals and send them to court.
In a brief breakdown of some of the arrests made by the Operation Fearless team so far, prolific and agressive shoplifters on Erdington High Street have been caught, charged, and processed on 17 Jan, 19 Jan, and 21 Jan.
Officers have seized weapons, including knives and bats, from individuals on the streets on 12 Jan and 20 Jan.
Operation Fearless officers and dog patrol unit on Erdington High Street / Pic by Joe Marchant
On 14 January, Operation Fearless and local police raided the home address of a suspected drug dealer – breaking down their front door on Derrydown Close and finding 50 wraps of drugs and a zombie knife.
On 17 January, after being alerted by staff at a local pub, Operation Fearless police apprehended a man after he smashed windows at the premises – further finding a knife, and that the man was previously wanted for robbery.
On the launch day itself, 7 January, arrests were made for sexual offences and failure to attend a previous court hearing.
But perhaps some of the most audacious arrests for the Operation Fearless team were made after receiving reports of an armed carjacking, taking place mid-afternoon on Saturday 18 January.
Partnering with police in the traffic and firearms teams, Operation Fearless cops tracked the stolen Kia car – which had been taken from a motorist on Short Heath Road at knife point – and gave chase.
Kia car stolen at knife point stopped by Operation Fearless officers, working with traffic and firearms police teams / Pics supplied by West Midlands Polcie
After refusing to stop and even ramming two police vehicles, the fugitives were finally corned and forced to surrender. Three people in their thirties were later charged with robbery, possession of a knife in a public place, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, and other driving offences.
Operation Fearless have been funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and will see 20 officers and £880,000 invested into Erdington Town Centre.
The initiative follows on from Operation Skybridge which was launched last autumn, and saw the police deploy extra resources to tackle crime across the wider Erdington constituency.
With an increase in “high-visibility patrols” and “targeted operations”, West Midlands Police state they introduced the special policing initiative to tackle crime on and around Erdington High Street – an area that has been a “hotspot” of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Operation Fearless lead Detective Superintendent Jim Munro on Erdington High Street / Pic by Joe Marchant
Leading Operation Fearless, Detective Superintendent Jim Munro told Erdington Local: “We’ve got problems here and now, there’s no two ways about that; we’ve listened to the community. Theft, anti-social behaviour, open drug dealing or drug taking… all key things that, quite rightly, concern the community.
“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: “[Operation Fearless} will continue to work here in Erdington as long as necessary to hand it into a place, where we feel, it is sustainable to look at regeneration.”
(l-r) Erdington Ward Councillors Gareth Moore and Robert Alden / Pic supplied by Cllr Alden
Funded until March 2026, Operation Fearless are encouraging Erdington local businesses and residents to report any and all crimes they see, using both the improved 111 and 999 services and by talking to bobbies on the beat around the High Street and other areas.
Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden (Conservative), who sits as Director of the Erdington Business Improvement District, reiterated this call to arms to report and fight crime.
He told Erdington Local: “It’s vital that businesses and residents report any crime they see; it might be a partial numberplate, it might be a partial description, but feed it in directly to the police – or to Crimestoppers if you [want to do this anonymously].”
He added: “Because that information will get used and pooled together with other intelligence that other people submit and then enable [the police] to carry out raids, and to get warrants, and put people behind bars.”
Operation Fearless police team raid address of suspected drug dealer on Derrydown Close
