Tag: Trading standards

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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 [email protected]

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

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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 [email protected] 

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