Tag: Trading standards

Posted on

ERDINGTON POLICE: Partnership working to seize goods on Erdington High Street

(L-R) Officers from Trading Standards with Erdington Sargeant Millard with illegal goods after raid on High Street premises / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Words by West Midlands Police

Operation Fearless and Erdington neighbourhood officers have been working with Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team to seize thousands of pounds worth of illicit goods from Erdington High Street.

Since launching in Erdington in January 2025, Fearless has maintained a presence there, and now has a renewed commitment to tackling High Street organised crime.

On three days in early October, Fearless officers and neighbourhood policing colleagues attended three separate stores on the High Street, carrying out searches of the premises and linked vehicles.

With Trading Standards, they seized a total of more than 150,000 illicit cigarettes, as well as thousands of packets of hand-rolling tobacco, and other unlicensed and counterfeit goods such as tablets and energy drinks.

The value of the goods seized stands at more than £150,000, and an investigation into the shops and those involved is continuing.

Illegal goods confiscated after raid on High Street premises / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Det Sgt Chloe Morgan, from Operation Fearless, said: “Joint operations like this are so important in acting on community concerns around shops selling illegal goods, profiting from them and putting the public at risk.

“Neighbourhood officers are based in Erdington and have excellent knowledge within the community. They are listening to locals, and we are all working together alongside local authority partners to act.

“Op Fearless has a proud history of serving the Erdington community, we know how important the High Street is to everyone in Erdington, and we urge locals to keep passing on information and concerns so we can continue to protect legitimate businesses and keep the public from harm.” 

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

 You can also follow the Erdington police team on Twitter www.x.com/ErdingtonWMP

———

This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October.

To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com 

 

Posted on

NEWS: Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team seize drugs and illegal tobacco from raids across the High Street

Birmingham City Council Trading Standards and Erdington Seargent Claire Millard (right) with seized tobacco products from raid on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham City Council

Words by Erdington Local news team

Erdington’s Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) has been cracking down on crime across Erdington High Street, seizing significant amounts of drugs and illegal tobacco products in two raids carried out last week.

The first raid saw officers target a known hotspot in between The Swan pub and Borshch Electrical where police believed drug dealing was taking place. During a high impact broad daylight bust, the NPT and supporting officers seized 27 wraps of what are suspected to be cocaine and heroin.

After the raid, a spokesperson for the local force confirmed: “One man was given a community resolution, and an investigation into the drugs is continuing.”

Seized tobacco products from raid on Erdington High Street valued at over £40,000 / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Then on Thursday 1 October, in a combined effort with Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards and support from Operation Fearless, the Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team raided a High Street shop suspected of selling illegal cigarettes.

Carrying out the warrant to search the premises and vehicles connected to the retailer, officers discovered more than 50,000 cigarettes and over 2,500 grams of hand rolling tobacco believed to be contraband.

Police seized the illegal tobacco products, estimated to be worth more than £40,000, alongside a vehicle they believe was connected to the crime.

Seized tobacco products from raid on Erdington High Street valued at over £40,000 / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Working further with Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards and Operation Fearless, the Erdington NPT are now looking to seek approval from the courts to close the shop.

Current legislation can grant police the powers to close a business for up to six months if they suspect it is being used for criminal enterprise, but Prime Minister Andy Burnham has recently announced plans to extend those terms to 12 months.

Following the raids across Erdington High Street, Sgt Claire Millard, from the Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “We know that locals here in Erdington, who are proud of the High Street, value a visible policing presence, and I hope that it’s clear through our patrols and enforcement activity that we are acting on their concerns.

“When people tell us they’re worried about the supply of drugs and illicit goods on the High Street, enforcement like this is key to dealing with that.

Sgt Millard added: “We’ll keep working with our partners to tackle this, and as ever we are grateful for the support and information from the community.”

Vehicle linked to shop seized during raid on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Operation Fearless are also continuing their work in Erdington and has recently expanded to tackle more forms of criminality on High Streets, working collaboratively with the Home Office and other partners as part of the High Street Organised Crime Unit.

Acting Detective Inspector Chloe Morgan, from Operation Fearless, added: “Fearless originally launched in Erdington, and we remain committed to working with local officers as they work hard to tackle crime on the High Street.

“Given the potential links to wider organised criminality, Fearless is continuing to focus on disrupting the supply of illicit goods and targeting those involved.”

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

You can also follow the Erdington police team on Twitter www.x.com/ErdingtonWMP

Posted on

NEWS: Shisha Shop at Six Ways Island closed down for selling illegal vapes

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.

 

Posted on

ERDINGTON POLICE: A Message from Sargeant Gary Grove

Sergeant Gary Grove standing by police vehicle on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Words by Sgt Gary Grove – Erdington High Street police team

We’re so grateful for the help and support we get from our volunteers in Erdington, that I wanted to explain more about how we work in partnership with them to keep the area safe.

Our StreetWatch volunteers regularly head out with officers, chatting with residents and offering a reassuring presence. Just recently, they stepped in to help someone during a medical emergency – staying with them until help arrived. That kind of care really shows the heart of our community.

We also have SpeedWatch groups made up of local residents who work with us to tackle speeding. We’ve invested in new equipment to support them, and if speeding is something you’re worried about in your area, please do get in touch so we can look to address it.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering and can spare just a couple of hours a week, we’d love to hear from you. You can drop us a line at erdington@westmidlands.police.uk

Meanwhile, our neighbourhood team is continuing to act on what matters most to you. We’ve recently arrested a suspected drug dealer in The Gardens and seized cannabis from a vehicle linked to drugs.

We’re also working closely with Operation Fearless and Trading Standards to crack down on illegal goods being sold on the High Street – seizing several items as part of our ongoing efforts.

As always, if there’s anything you’re worried about or if you have any information to share, please feel free to contact us.

Stay safe,

Sergeant Gary Grove

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

You can also follow the Erdington police team on Twitter www.x.com/ErdingtonWMP

Posted on

NEWS: Council warning as ‘spell casters’ and ‘spiritual healers’ target Erdington residents

Words & pics by Adam Smith

Birmingham City Council has warned local residents against paying for black magic spells which are being offered to people across Erdington, the Local can reveal.

Fliers offering ‘black magic’ and ‘love spells’ to solve relationships woes, mental illness, job seeking, and court cases have been delivered to homes on Slade Road, Marsh Hill, Erdington Hall Road, and Reservoir Road in recent weeks.

The claims on the fliers include getting husbands and wives who have left their partners to be ‘returned immediately’, breaking the resolve of stubborn children, and an ability to bring fame and success.

Erdington Local handed the fliers, from two separate ‘spell caster’s, to Birmingham City Council Trading Standards.

A spokesman said: “We’d advise anyone to be wary of this sort of thing and advise against handing over large sums of money.

“If anyone has concerns, they can contact trading standards via the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.”

Cheick Mahamadou Lamine describes themselves as a ‘Spiritual Healer and Love Spell Caster’.

Their flyer boasts: ‘I can help you with love and relationship matters, exams, business, luck, family problems, career, court cases, job seeking, depression, serious illness, buying and selling property, fame and success in business.

‘Quick and Positive results GUARANTEED – Payment after results.’

Shaikh Drame’s flyer claims he is: ‘The first man to combine the power of spirituality no matter what your problems are I can help you solve them.

‘Even desperate cases e.g relationships, work and business difficulties, for those who feel unlove, unhappy and unlucky, I can remove evil spells and bad luck. I can help a person who is looking for leadership and popularity.’

Drame even claims to be able to get spouses to return to a relationship they have left.

He states: ‘If your loved one, husband or wife has walked out on you I can help bring them back immediately with the most powerful spells.”

Worryingly, Drame also promises to work with children who do not obey their parents – raising safeguarding concerns for any young people involved.

He further promised: ‘I can bring stubborn children to listen and cure people who use alcohol and tobacco. Follow the path of relief and lead the life of happiness.’

Trading Standards in Sandwell successfully prosecuted a bogus love doctor who promised clients his spells could improve fertility and fix relationships in 2010.

Niem Mohammed, who drove around in a Ferrari and a Bentley, charged a Smethwick couple £9,000 for breaking a black magic spell and help them have children – he was jailed for 18 months and ordered to pay the money back.

He also took £1,300 off a woman to help fix a broken relationship, but when nothing happened he told her he needed a further £1,800. He then threatened to send a ghost to destroy her home and family if she did not pay up.

Erdington Local has asked both Lamine and Drame for a comment but at the time of publishing have not received a reply.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article – or want to talk to Erdington Local about your experiences – email adam@erdingtonlocal.com 

For help and guidance from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau visit www.bcabs.org.uk