West Midlands Police say that extra patrols are taking place to reassure residents in the Harborne area after a man was killed after being stabbed yesterday evening (Wednesday 24th April).
West Midlands Ambulance Service called police after being called to Tennal Road to treat an 18 year old man for serious injuries at around 7.15pm.
The man – who has not yet been named by police – was sadly pronounced dead at the scene soon after.
A post-mortem will be held tomorrow, and a 19 year old man who was arrested last night remains in police custody this afternoon.
Edgbaston neighbourhood Inspector Lee Trinder said: “Our thoughts are with the family of this young man at this awful time.
“We also know the concern that last night’s tragic killing has caused in Harborne and the wider Birmingham area. People can be assured that West Midlands Police’s dedicated Homicide Team is working to establish exactly what has happened.
“Meanwhile, we will have extra uniformed officers on reassurance patrols, and I’d encourage anyone with particular concerns to stop and speak to them.”
In an effort to further reassure and protect the community, Inspector Trinder has also authorised a 48 hour dispersal order in parts of Harborne and Quinton.
He tweeted: “Due to increased criminal activity and incidents in and around the Harborne Quinton areas in recent days, I have authorised a 48hr dispersal order for the attached highlighted areas. Please feel free to engage with officers. We are here to support our community.”
The order will allow officers to disperse groups of people in order to prevent the likelihood of 1. public harassment, alarm, distress or 2. Crime or disorder in the locality.
In response to the tragic death, Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities at Birmingham City Council, said: “I was absolutely devastated to hear of the senseless and tragic death of another young person in our city, and our thoughts go out to the victim’s friends and family.”
Knife crime hits all time high
The incident came just a day before the Office of National Statistics released new crime figures for England & Wales, showing that recorded crime involving a knife is at an all time high.
The West Midlands Police force area saw 3,210 such crimes recorded between January and December 2018. This was a 17% rise on knife crimes recorded the previous year and more than double the 1508 crimes involving knives in the force area between April 2012 and March 2013.
The West Mercia Police force area also saw a rise of 11%, with recorded 495 crimes involving a knife recorded last year.
Cllr Cotton said: “It is quite clear we have to do much more to drive violence and knife crime off our streets. Our young people deserve better and everyone has a part to play in this response from individual citizens through to the council and other public services.
“I’ll be working with West Midlands Police, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, city council colleagues and residents to do this. We have to co-ordinate our efforts to deal with this national emergency.”
Anyone with information on the Harborne stabbing is asked to contact West Midlands Police on Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk (8am – midnight) or to call 101 any time. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org Please quote log number 2199 of 24/4/19
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