Luckily no-one was hurt and only external damage was caused when this BMW left the road and crashed through the garden of a home in West Heath this evening (Friday 28th July).
The residents of the house – including 2 small children – were out when the incident happened in Alvechurch Road at around 9pm, and a pedestrian who was walking by at the time escaped unhurt.
According to witnesses, the driver left the scene when he was unable to drive the car away.
Police are making enquiries & checking CCTV.
If you know anything that could help ID the driver or have CCTV images, please call West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
West Midlands Police have released CCTV footage of the moment a Northfield car thief smashed through traffic in the city centre in a stolen car, in an attempt to evade arrest – as the offender is sentenced to almost 10 years in jail.
On 12th April, Martin Tolan, 28, of Central Avenue, ploughed into stationary vehicles at traffic lights on Bristol Road in the city in an attempt to push through and get away from pursuing officers.
The car he was driving – a convertible Mini – had been stolen 11 days earlier in the early hours of April 1st from a driveway in Solihull.
As Tolan tried to force the Mini through traffic, police officers managed to surround the Mini, using batons to smash the windows, before pulling him from the car.
Following his arrest, Tolan was bailed while police awaited DNA results and gathererd more evidence on the Solihull burglary in which the Mini was stolen and another break-in in Marlbrook.
However, following three further burglaries – in Nuthurst Road in Longbridge, Bartley Crescent in the Ley Hill area of Northfield and Cofton Park Drive in Rednal – where locks were snapped, Tolan was again arrested on 23rd May.
He was also among a group who struck at an address in Cofton Park Drive, Rednal, in the early hours of May 23 and made off in a Mercedes C-Class and an Audi A5.
Tolan was arrested later that day by which time forensic analysis of a wrench left on a sofa at the Marlbrook, Bromsgrove, burglary returned a DNA match to Tolan.
At Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday 27th July, Tolan pleased guilty to multiple burglaries, dangerous driving, handling stolen goods and theft. He was sentenced to nine years and 11 months in prison.
West Midlands Police Detective Sergeant Toni Holl, said: “Residents can sleep more soundly knowing Tolan is behind bars: we have proved he was responsible for at least five burglaries but it’s suspected he was linked to more.
“Several of his victims were woken to find him intruding in their homes while others only found their cars gone in the morning.
“No-one was injured but I’m glad the court has recognised the prolific nature of Tolan’s offending, plus the psychological impact burglary can have on victims, and jailed him for a long time.”
Longbridge Police are consulting local residents, businesses and stakeholders in a bid to tackle ongoing anti-social behaviour in a Rednal street by inviting them to a community meeting and to take part in a survey.
For some time, antisocial behaviour has been an issue in Edgewood Road: drug use and dealing, abuse, criminal damage, antisocial use of motorbikes are just some of the problems.
So far police have targeted patrols in the area, used Antisocial Behaviour warnings and tried temporary dispersal orders, but the problems still persist.
West Midlands Police Longbridge Neighbourhood Team are now consulting local residents, business people and partners on the possibility of obtaining a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). A PSPO applies only to a specified area and can prohibit or require certain activities if it is thought it will tackle a particular problem.
If you live in or around Edgewood Road, you are invited to attend a public meeting to discuss what has already been done, what is currently being done and what can be done in the future to tackle these issues – including a presentation from Longbridge police on what a PSPO is.
Meeting details:
Who: Anyone who lives, works or has an interest in Edgewood Road and the surrounding area When: 7pm Tuesday 8th August 2017 Where: St Stephens Church, Edgewood Rd, Rednal, Birmingham B45 8SG
Union and council bosses are scheduled to continue talks to resolve the ongoing dispute over refuse collection in Birmingham. In the meantime, Unite have announced extended strike action through September and Birmingham City Council are attempting to clear up the backlog of waste collections.
A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said: “Positive discussions are continuing to take place with the unions and we hope to be able to resolve this sooner rather than later. This has always been about delivering reliable, efficient and value for money waste collection services in the city.”
Third of backlog cleared
And she confirmed that a third of the city had seen backlog collected by Friday (28th July). She said: “We continue to build on the clear-up work carried out over the weekend. Crews are focusing on the hotspot areas across the city, and so far 2,600 roads, a third of the city, have been cleared. We will work through the remaining areas in the coming days to tackle the backlog and get collections back on track. We appreciate this has been a frustrating time for Birmingham citizens and we thank them for their ongoing patience as we seek to resolve the dispute with the unions as quickly as possible.”
Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett, who is leading the union’s teams in talks, said: “We are making every effort to resolve this dispute and, hopefully, we can hold talks with Cllr Clancy [leader of Birmingham City Council] very soon, otherwise the industrial action already planned to run up to the middle of September will escalate.”
Union defends action
Mr Beckett defended strike action saying: “I would also ask the Birmingham public to understand that strike action is a last resort for our members and places them in considerable financial hardship. The reality is they have been left with no choice because of the regrade of their jobs and loss of income which is simply unaffordable for our members.
“If members of the public place themselves in our members’ shoes, they will know that losing thousands of pounds a year in income means missing mortgage payments, failing to keep up with their rents and not being able feed their children” he added.
Confusion for residents
With an apparent battle of interpretations, the union and council still appear to be unable to agree on what the service changes really mean.
Unite say that 121 workers are under threat of redundancy if they don’t accept a pay cut as their role is downgraded and the council claim they will be offered other jobs at their current grade, that no-one is to lose their job and new roles are being created.
Mr Beckett said: “We have legitimate safety concerns about what the council proposes and are concerned that workers on as little as £21,000-a-year could face a pay cut of up to £5,000, if they are downgraded, which is unacceptable.”
However, the council spokeswoman said: “We would stress that changes to the service involve no job losses, no cuts to basic salary and 220 permanent new jobs.”
The current daily schedule of strike action:
28th July – 10th August: 0600-0800hrs and 1230-1330hrs
11th August – 21st September: 0700-0800hrs, 1030-1130hrs and 1330-1430hrs
In addition, refuse workers are still operating an overtime ban and returning to base for breaks
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Another devastating blow for local heritage as an historic wooden barn in Manor Farm Park, built by the Cadbury family as a community resource, was totally destroyed by fire in the early hours of this morning (Monday 31st July).
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
West Midlands Fire Service received over sixty 999 calls and 23 firefighters attended the severe fire around 3am.
The ‘Cadbury’ Barn, at the entrance to Manor Farm Park in Northfield, was originally built in 1894 by local business man and philanthropist George Cadbury.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.The barn was built when he and Dame Elizabeth lived at neighbouring Northfield Manor House, which was destroyed in an arson attack almost 3 years ago to the day on 30th July 2014.
The Cadburys held parties for impoverished children from across the city in the barn and it was used as a base and training centre for the Friends Ambulance Unit during World War II.
Following the consultation there was hope that the barn would be restored as a tearoom and facilities, with adjacent buildings also being restored for use by a charity or group.
A spokesperson for the Friends of Manor Farm Park group said: “We have been working with other stakeholders over a number of years to develop plans and secure funding to restore the Barn and associated buildings as a multi-use community resource with cafe and toilets, for the benefit of park users and the local community. This is therefore devastating news for the whole neighbourhood.
“Needless to say we are all very upset – another piece of Cadbury legacy now lost forever.”
We understand that West Midlands Police are investigating the incident as suspected arson and are awaiting a statement.
If you have any information on the cause of the blaze, please call West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
MP for Selly Oak, Steve McCabe (Labour) was injured yesterday after being hit in the face with a brick thrown by a lad on a motorbike.
The incident happened in Greenford Road in Warstock.
Mr McCabe tweeted: “Tonight nursing a very sore & swollen face. I was struck with a brick by a motorbike thug in Greenford Rd. Have given full statement to police.”
Tonight nursing a very sore&swollen face. I was struck with a brick by a motorbike thug in Greenford Rd. Have given full statement to police pic.twitter.com/lHXGsA7xhP
He went on to tweet images of two lads on bikes and asked for people to identify them.
Sure somebody recognises these two. All I need are names & addresses. Send them to me anonymously & I’ll do the rest with the police pic.twitter.com/NIborj7Uj8
Francis Maughan, 31 of no fixed abode, Joseph Fannin, 46 and Jolene Mahon, 29 of Abdon Avenue, Weoley Castle preyed on elderly residents in Frankley, Northfield, Rubery and Cotteridge, in September last year, on occasions gaining entry to their homes by pretending to be police officers or carrying a small child.
The heartless trio were arrested in October 2016 following a campaign to identify them on social media.
Maughan and Fannin struck on 20th September 2016, when they tricked their way into the home of a 90 year old partially sighted woman in Loynells Road, Rubery, carrying an 18 month old little girl. Believing them to be family members, the woman let them in and was distracted while they stole her purse, containing just £5. The victim screamed out when she realised what was happening and they left, leaving her traumatised by the incident.
A few days later, Maughan took a small boy to the home of an 87 year old woman in Weoley Castle, saying the child had had kicked his ball over her fence. The woman offered to help but as soon as the opportunity arose, Maughan slipped into her home and took her handbag.
29 year old Jolene Mahon joined Maughan and Fannin on several burglaries. She joined Maughan on 5th September when they used the lost ball distraction on an 82 year old woman in Bristol Road South, Northfield. They made off with her bank card, which they used to withdraw £500 from a nearby cash machine minutes later.
The following day, the pair targeted an elderly man in a post office in Selly Oak, stealing thousands of pounds. Mahon befriended the 81 year old man after witnessing him draw out a large amount of cash at the Oak Tree Lane post office. When he returned to his car in Katie Road, placing the cash in the boot, she got into the passenger seat and continued to chat with him, giving Maughan the opportunity to swipe the money.
On 21st September, Maughan and Fannin pretended to be police officers seeking intruders when they broke into sheltered housing on Ashill Road, Rednal.
Later, CCTV images were obtained of the pair, after they broke into the home of a couple in their 80s, where they stole £800 from an 83 year lady with dementia who was home alone while her husband popped out. As they left, the callous duo bumped into the lady’s husband – who was just arriving home to the address in Frankley Beeches Road, Northfield, – telling him to call the police as they had been burgled.
Between 22nd and 35th of September, further addresses in Frankley, Cotteridge, Longbridge and Northfield were targeted, including an address in Holly Hill Road, Frankley, where a 76 year old woman with dementia awoke to find Maughan and Fannin in her living room. They said they were police officers who needed her bank cards and pin numbers and suspicions were raised when they called the victims son in an attempt to get the pin numbers as she couldn’t remember them.
Following the release of the CCTV footage, Mahon and Fanni were arrested at her Abdon Avenue flat on 5th October. A manhunt for Maughan led to him being traced to London and arrested by the Metropolitan Police just 4 days later.
On Friday 29th July, all three were jailed after admitting conspiracy to commit burglary, while Maughan and Mahon also admitted theft from a motor vehicle at Birmingham Crown Court.
The trio received sentences of almost 20 years between them: Maughan – 10 years nine months, Fannin – five years three months, and Mahon – three years behind bars.
DC Dave Cockbill from the force’s High Harm & Vulnerability Team, said: “We were dealing with three selfish, compassionless individuals…they actively targeted the most vulnerable people in society and even used children to help them gain access to their homes.
“They stole money, including pension payments, that the victims could ill afford to lose.
“None of the victims were physically harmed but many were left distressed at having been tricked in this manner.
“I’d like to thank the public for their support in this case as the information we received on the back of our public appeal led directly to us identifying Maughan, Fannin and Mahon as the suspects.
“Police and the courts take a very dim view of those who deceive vulnerable people; offenders can expect to be jailed.”
A massive thank you to all the B31 Voices who helped keep an eye out for elderly relatives and neighbours, reported incidents and information to the police.
Please see advice from West Midlands Police below:
Burglars won’t go to the trouble of breaking in if they can just knock and be invited in. So always be on your guard when anyone you’re not expecting – a man, a woman or even a child – turns up at your door.
Bogus ‘officials’ may be smartly dressed and claim to be from the council, gas board, health authority or other organisation.
Bogus ‘dealers’ may offer to buy your antiques, furniture or jewellery, at what seems to be a good price.
Bogus ‘workmen’ may say that they need to come in to check something or make urgent repairs. You also need to be careful of callers who offer to make building repairs such as guttering or tarmac your drive. Often they’ll ask for money in advance; they may even offer to drive you to the bank to withdraw money to pay them.
Genuine callers will normally make an appointment first and will carry identification with their photograph on.
ALWAYS PUT THE CHAIN ON
If someone calls at your door:
Check to see who it is by using the spy hole if you have one, or look through a front window.
Always put the chain on before you open the door. (If you don’t have a chain it’s a good idea to get one – they don’t cost much)
With PVC doors, it can be difficult and costly to fit a door chain. Check with the manufacturer before you buy a PVC door, that a chain will be fitted.
FIRE SAFETY – only put on your door chain as you answer the door – don’t keep it on all the time as this could delay your exit in case of fire.
Look at their clothing. Some official callers will have a uniform bearing their organisation’s name or symbol.
If you don’t know the caller, ask to see their identity card. Check it carefully, and keep the chain on while you do this. Genuine callers won’t mind if you close the door while you do this.
Some public utility services (e.g. water, electricity, gas) operate a password system. Contact your local branch to find out more.
If you’re still not sure, ask the caller to come back later. You can then check their story by phoning the organisation or company they claim to represent. Look up the number in your own telephone directory. Don’t rely on the telephone number on their card – it may be the number of a crook’s partner.
Bogus callers sometimes work in pairs. Beware of one distracting you while the other steals your property. The best practice is not to let them in.
Ensure your back door is locked if you are answering the door to someone you don’t know.
Watch out for anyone who says they’re in a hurry. Don’t let them pressure you. If in doubt, call a neighbour or friend.
If you have any suspicions at all, don’t let them in.
If you’re still not happy, phone the police – dial 999 – and tell them what’s happened. And tell your neighbours.
Always put the chain on and use the spy-hole before you open the door.
Never let anyone in unless you are absolutely sure they are genuine.
A 12 year old lad was anaesthetised before being taken to hospital with a serious head injury after he was involved in a collision with a car on his cycle in Frankley yesterday (Sunday 6th August).
The accident happened just before 1pm in Ormond Road and was attended by an ambulance and paramedic officer, alongside the Midlands Air Ambulance with a MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic on board. An off duty nurse and passers-by were assisting the lad before emergency services arrived.
Serious head injury
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The youngster had suffered a serious head injury and was not fully conscious. The doctor on the aircraft decided to anaesthetise him at the scene before he was taken on blue lights to the paediatric major trauma centre at Birmingham Children’s Hospital; the doctor and critical care paramedic travelled with the ambulance crew.”
The ambulance service spokesman confirmed that the car involved in the accident was not at the scene when their staff arrived.
A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: “A 12-year-old boy was knocked off his pushbike by a black Ford Fiesta which did not stop at the scene.
“The owner of the vehicle, a 28-year-old man handed himself in a short time later and was later released under investigation.”
Anyone with any information is urged to call 101 quoting log 1280 6/8.
‘Stable’
The spokeswoman said: “The boy remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.”
The lad’s parents confirmed that he is receiving treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he underwent surgery for a brain injury yesterday.
His mum wrote on our Facebook page: “He’s had a stable night, so just a waiting game now. The support has been overwhelming, thank you all x”
Petition
A resident has organised a petition to Birmingham City Council in an effort to get improved traffic calming measures on Ormond Road. Paper copies to sign are available at Nisa in Ormond Road and an online version is available here.
We wish TJ a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with all his family and friends an all those affected.
The petition will be presented to Birmingham City Council by Cllr Andy Cartwright.
You can sign the petition online below or a paper copy is available at the Nisa store in Ormond Road or Amy’s Floral Design in at Fathers Barn market in Rubery.
An appeal to central government to overturn a decision to refuse planning permission for a crematorium in the Waseley Hills has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.
Cemetery & chapel approval
Planning permission was granted for a cemetery on the green belt site in New Inns Lane, Rubery in 2012.
In 2014, planning permission to add a chapel and maintenance building was given.
“Adverse effect” on Green Belt
However at the same time – after much objection was expressed by local residents and politicians – Bromsgrove District Council refused permission to include facilities for cremation, citing an inappropriate, industrial use of green belt land and increased traffic to the site, amongst other issues.
Despite some changes being made to reduce the volume of the previously approved buildings, reduce the size of the car park and lessen the industrial appearance by redesigning the crematorium flue, the plans were again met with strong objection from many local residents and politicians.
Rubery councillor Peter MacDonald (Labour) told the Bromsgrove Standard that the council shouldn’t even be considering the application, after throwing out proposals back in 2014.
Cllr Andy Cartwright (Longbridge, Labour) & colleague Cllr Carole Griffiths opposed the application again, saying that a crematorium would have an adverse affect on traffic in Longbridge ward.
Independent Longbridge Cllr Ian Cruise also submitted written objection.
Over 100 residents comments were submitted in response to the plans. Hundreds voted in a B31 Voices poll, with just 30% in favour of the proposals.
On 2nd August, having fully considered all the submitted information, government planning inspector R. C. Kirby concluded that the appeal should be dismissed on the grounds that the proposal to add a crematorium on the site:
“[…] is inappropriate development in the Green Belt which is by definition harmful”
“[…] would reduce the openness of the Green Belt, result in conflict with the purposes of including land within it, and adversely affect the character and appearance of the area”
did not present enough evidence to determine the possible risks to the biodiversity of the site.
Last week the 120 year old barn adjacent to Manor Farm Park – part of the Cadbury family legacy in South West Birmingham – wasdestroyed by arsonists.
Cadbury legacy
The ‘Cadbury’ Barn, at the entrance to Manor Farm Park in Northfield, was originally built in 1894 by local business man and philanthropist George Cadbury.
The barn was built when he and Dame Elizabeth lived at neighbouring Northfield Manor House, which was destroyed in an arson attack almost 3 years ago to the day on 30th July 2014.
The Cadburys held parties for impoverished children from across the city in the barn and it was used as a base and training centre for the Friends Ambulance Unit during World War II.
The devastating news of the fire rocked members of The Cadbury Barn Stakeholder Group, who had been working together for several years on plans to restore the barn – along with adjacent buildings – for community use.
New hope
However, after some reflection and discussion, the group – led by the Friends of Manor Farm Park and including representatives from other organisations such as Birmingham Conservation Trust, the City Council, Bournville Village Trust, and the Society of Friends – has new hope for the site.
The group hope to honour the Cadbury legacy and move forward in a new direction to provide a brand new community space where the original barn once stood.
Chair of the Cadbury Barn Stakeholder Group, Lesley Pattenson, said: “Although the original Barn has been destroyed by arsonists we will continue the work started by George and Elizabeth Cadbury, whose ethos was to give families an opportunity to enjoy good food and leisure opportunities in an attractive natural environment.”
Lesley added: “This tragedy is a setback to our plans and the progress we had already made, but we are still determined to create a multi-use community meeting place with a café and toilets and to improve Manor Farm Park for the benefit of users and the local community. Our vision, to have a focal point in the park which will attract more visitors, remains unchanged. However we now have the opportunity to design a purpose-built facility to carry on the legacy of George and Elizabeth Cadbury, subject to securing major funding, which to some extent could reflect the characteristic look of the original Cadbury Barn.”
Heritage architects will be consulted on how to save some bits of the wreckage to preserve some of the heritage of the barn.
And they need YOUR help!
The Friends of Manor Farm Park are a small group and seeking people’s views and redesigning the plans will take time and money.
Lesley said: “It’s been heartening to receive numerous messages of support via social media so we Friends have set up a Justgiving Crowdfunding page, which will help us restart and move forward with the planning process and continue the legacy of the Cadbury Barn.
“There’s a lot of work to do; the fire has meant we have to think again about how the park and its amenities can be developed. We are aiming to set out the options in a consultation exhibition to be held at local venues including Shenley Court Hall, St David’s Church and the new community hub ‘Our Space Our Place’ in Northfield, over the next couple of months. We will also be gathering memories and photos of the Cadbury Barn at these events.”
The Friends will also be putting out an appeal for people to get in touch with their stories and memories, as well as photos of the Barn as it was before the fire, to create a historical record of the uniquely decorated wooden building.
The Sainsbury’s store in Northfield is supporting a local school for deaf children as their Charity of the Year.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Sainsbury’s Northfield PR Ambassador Debee Bowyer with pupils & staff from Longwill School at last month’s fundraising book sale
Customers voted to select Longwill School for Deaf Children as the new supported charity for the year 2017/18. The school will receive a whole year of fundraising and awareness support from the store.
Almost £350 was raised at the inaugural fundraising event with a book sale and a bucket collection by John Bowyer.
Headteacher Alison Carter said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be chosen as the Sainsbury’s Northfield Local Charity of Year. We can’t wait to work together and raise the profile of our charity over the next year. Thank you to all the customers that voted for us, we really appreciate the support.”
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Store manager, Frank Bullen, said: “We are looking forward to working with the school and meeting the children next term.”
Longwill School in Bell Lane supports profoundly deaf children aged 2 to 11 years. With a bilingual approach – giving an equal focus to British Sign Language and English – deaf pupils achieve the best skills to prepare them for life within both the deaf and hearing communities.
With no end in sight to the ongoing dispute between the city’s refuse workers and the city council, industrial action looks set to continue.
At the moment, Unite union members are striking for 3 separate hours every week day until 21st September – with trips to and from base each time, plus returning for breaks, it is likely a large portion of their working day will be affected.
Striking ’til Christmas?
And with no agreement yet reached between council and union bosses, Unite members will be balloted on further strike action next week, with the ballot closing on 31st August.
Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said that: “[…] a renewed industrial action mandate could see this dispute continuing up to Christmas.”
3 week collection plan
Over the last 3 weeks, council bosses have directed fleet and waste staff to abandon their regular schedule, instead focusing on selected wards each week – collecting as much household, recycling and extra bags as possible – in a bid to reduce the backlog that has built up on the streets.
This plan is set to continue while the effects of industrial action are still being felt.
A new 3 week cycle begins tomorrow (Monday 14th August) with the following wards planned to receive collections:
WEEK ONE COLLECTIONS
Commencing Mon 14th Aug
Acocks Green
Bartley Green
Brandwood
Handsworth Wood
Hodge Hill
Kingstanding
Ladywood
Moseley & Kings Heath
Northfield
Quinton
Soho
Sutton Four Oaks
Sutton Trinity
Washwood Heath
If you live in any of the wards above, your are asked to leave your bins out ready for collection for the coming week. Wards for the following week will be shown on the council website by next weekend. If you’re unsure which ward you live in, enter your postcode at www.birmingham.gov.uk.
Industrial action by Birmingham’s refuse collectors has been SUSPENDED following progress in talks.
ACAS, announced this morning that, following talks between Birmingham City Council and union Unite overseen by the conciliation service, Shop Stewards have paused industrial action.
No redundancies
An ACAS spokesperson said: “Birmingham City Council cabinet members have agreed in principle that the grade 3 posts will be maintained. Consequently there are no redundancy steps in place.”
Talks will continue through ACAS so that council and union bosses can work together on how the city’s refuse service service can be improved. The ACAS spokesperson said talks would look at: “improving efficiencies in performance of the bin collection service generally, including what savings can be made, and specifically how best the current Grade 3 roles can now be maintained and developed so that they take forward the ambition to deliver cleaner streets and align to wider Total Place principles.”
Union to accept new working patterns?
Unite have also agreed in principle to recommend to their members work pattern changes, including consideration of a 5 day working week. with both parties agreeing that the working week should be designed to maximise service delivery.
It is hoped that full resolution will be reached in time to be added as an amendment to the Waste Management Service Cabinet Report in September 2017.
Relief
Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said: “We are very pleased that we have reached the stage where we can suspend the industrial action while we hold further talks about the future of the refuse service.
“I know this news will be greatly welcomed by the people of Birmingham as they look forward to their bins being collected again on a regular and seamless basis. I would like to thank them for their understanding over recent weeks.”
A response from Birmingham City Council will be added as available
West Midlands Police are investigating after two men were injured when three offenders broke into a Kings Norton home while the family were in.
The incident happened at around 9.30pm on Saturday 5th August in Grange Farm Drive. The male householder and a friend were assaulted and suffered minor injuries.
It is reported that one of the offenders chased a woman and two small children upstairs during the family’s ordeal.
A police spokeswoman could not confirm if the assailants were carrying weapons but said that a metal bar with a cord wrist strap had been recovered.
Keys were grabbed, along with a mobile phone. However, the keys – for the family’s second car, not their better first car – were recovered nearby a short time later.
Officers have spoken to a number of witnesses and have now released a CCTV image of two men they would like to speak to in connection with what happened.
Anyone with information is asked to call West Midlands Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 20BW/166289D/17
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
With a 3 week rotation in operation, Week 2 will begin from Monday 21st August, covering the following WARDS (NB your address may be different to your ward. If you’re unsure check here):
WEEK TWO COLLECTIONS
Commencing Mon 21st Aug
Aston
Billesley
Bournville
Edgbaston
Erdington
Longbridge
Nechells
Lozells & East Handsworth
Oscott
Shard End
Stechford & Yardley North
Sutton Vesey
South Yardley
Sparkbrook
If you live in any of the wards above, your are asked to leave your bins out ready for collection for the coming week. Wards for the following week will be shown on the council website by next weekend. If you’re unsure which ward you live in, enter your postcode at www.birmingham.gov.uk
UPDATE: the following wards should have been collected LAST week. If you live in one of the wards below and your bins were not emptied last week, report a missed collection online
West Midlands Police are investigating after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted in broad daylight on a Saturday afternoon in the Great Park area of Rubery last month.
The incident happened on a footpath near the reservoir / balancing lake behind Gala Bingo at around 1.45pm on Saturday 8th July.
The victim, a 16 year old girl, was approached from behind and sexually assaulted by a man.
A police spokesperson said: “This was a nasty attack in broad daylight. We have followed up multiple enquiries, including trawling through CCTV within the local area.
“We’d urge anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have seen the man or witnessed the incident to get in touch as soon as possible.”
The offender is described as:
White
In his 30s
Stocky build
Black hair with flecks of grey
Wearing blue polo top, blue jeans and brown trainers.
Anyone with information or who saw any suspicious behaviour should contact DC Hamilton on james.hamilton@west-midlands.pnn.police.ukAlternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Cover image: Police tape by Ian Britton on Flickr • Great Park balancing lake by Albie Taylor
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.A BBC fly-on-the-wall documentary showcasing the day to day work of West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) begins tomorrow night (Thursday 24th August) on BBC One at 9pm.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.It’s 8.31pm on a Saturday night, and West Midland Ambulance Service takes a call from a distraught woman whose husband has collapsed on their lounge floor having suffered a cardiac arrest. If the man is to survive, every second counts. Not just answering the 999 call from the man’s wife, but providing CPR advice, dispatching the crews and then the actions of the ambulance staff at the scene.
This is just one of the stories that will feature in the eight episode second series of ‘Ambulance’, which follows the West Midlands service from call handlers and dispatchers to crews out on call, including crews based at the Hollymoor Hub in Northfield.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
WMAS responds to over 3,000 999 calls every day across the region: 5,000 square miles which includes rural Herefordshire and Staffordshire Moorlands, as well as the urban sprawl of Birmingham and the Black Country.
WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “The thing that comes over from these programmes is the incredible professionalism of our staff as they deal with the challenges that they are presented with, never knowing what the next call might bring.
“I am proud that we have been able to show the diverse nature of our workforce and how we interact with people from every area and community of the West Midlands.
“You will get a chance to experience the challenges of dealing with everything from cardiac arrests and violent attacks, the second by second decisions our staff face for example deciding whether to move a woman in advanced labour, through to the desperation of lonely elderly patients who have no-one else to turn to. You will also see how those decisions affects our staff as they deal with each case. Sometimes it isn’t easy viewing, but throughout the actions of our staff are exceptional and I am so very proud of them.”
Jo Hughes, Series Producer at makers Dragonfly Television, added: “Ambulance goes way beyond the traditional genre of blue flashing lights television and really explores the stories of people in crisis against a backdrop of mounting pressures, from political to societal changes. We’re extremely proud of the new series which reflects the compassion, diversity of work, and difficult decisions both ambulance crews and staff in the control rooms have to make every day.”
WATCH ‘Ambulance’ Episode 1 on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday 24th August.
Two were arrested after police raided a flat in Longbridge yesterday (Tuesday 22nd August), recovering a gun and drugs.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.West Midlands Police executed a search warrant at Mandeville House in Walnut Way, were a revolver was discovered in a kitchen cupboard.
The officers also found Class A and B drugs, two BB guns and counterfeit money.
A man (25) and a woman (19) were arrested on suspicion of firearm and drug offences. Both have been “released under investigation pending further enquiries.”
The warrant was part of West Midlands Police’s crackdown on drugs and weapons and was as a result of intelligence received.
Anyone with any information on drugs or weapons in the community can contact West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Many readers contacted us last night (Friday 25th August) after hearing anecdotally of an alleged ‘acid attack’ close to the Black Horse in Northfield. West Midlands Police have confirmed today that the incident was NOT an acid attack.
Police received reports of an acid attack just after 9.30pm but found that the liquid was not, in fact, acid.
A 29 year old man was found to have no injuries but was taken to hospital as a precaution.
A police spokeswoman confirmed that the man is now helping them with enquiries and that officers are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.
