News Room

Latest news Chief applauds public over support for armed police patrols 28/05/2017 West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson has thanked the public for the “overwhelming support and encouragement” they’ve shown his officers since armed patrols took to the streets in response to the heightened terror threat. Firearms officers have been a common sight across the region with more than 20 strategic sites being guarded by armed cops, while there is an increased police presence at many more locations and additional high-visibility patrols. West Midlands Police officers have been working around the clock in light of the Manchester concert attack – with some shi…

Latest news West Midlands Police response to change in threat level 27/05/2017 Following a COBRA meeting this morning (Saturday) Prime Minister Theresa May has announced the national threat level has been reduced from critical to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. However, she also said that Operation Temperer resources will remain in place over the Bank Holiday weekend. West Midlands Police will maintain the current policing levels over the coming days before a planned scale back of extra resources from Tuesday. There will remain a highly visible police presence across the region, including at events and key sites, such as transport and other crowded pl…

Latest news Man arrested after arson at Sainsbury’s 27/05/2017 A man has been arrested after a fire was set in toilets at Sainsbury in Blackheath around midday today (Saturday 27 May). Armed officers responded after the man was seen running from the store in possession of a knife. He was located and arrested nearby. The store was evacuated and road closures were put in place while forensic investigators conducted enquiries. Force Incident Manager, Chief Inspector Paul Minor said: “The store remains closed while we examine the scene and assess the cause of the fire. “The man in custody and his motives remain unclear however, we do not believe this to be related to…

Latest news Men sentenced following brutal murder in Coventry 27/05/2017 Two men who beat another man to death following an argument have been convicted of murder and given life sentences in prison following a trial at Warwick Crown Court. Drew Thorpe, aged 19 of Hollis Road, Stoke, Coventry and Stephen Weeks, aged 48, of Hugh Road, Stoke, Coventry were handed 12 years and 16 years sentences respectively, with minimum parole, after pleading not guilty to the murder of Lee Brooks on Wednesday 24 May. Lee, aged 36, was attacked at Stephen Weeks home on the morning of Friday 26 August last year. He was found by officers at around 6:10am with life-threatening injur…

Latest news Prince’s Trust team rally to spruce up police memorial 27/05/2017 A memorial garden in honour of fallen West Midlands Police officers has been spruced up thanks to the hard work of community-spirited young people. The Smethwick Memorial Garden − in the grounds of Smethwick Police Station − was created in tribute to PC Robert Dallow who was killed in a car crash during a police pursuit in 1995. Over the decades it has been expanded into a peaceful plot to remember other former police officers that have passed away. Over the years, the site had become overgrown − but it’s been returned to its former splendour thanks to a group of young people on the…

Latest news 15 years jail for vicious car park attack on sex worker 26/05/2017 A man who repeatedly stamped on a woman’s head during a brutal attack in a Birmingham car park – shoving a dumped fridge-freezer on her as she lay injured on the floor – has been jailed for 15 years. Edward Wolstenholme (pictured) left a sex worker with horrific injuries after assaulting her in a secluded car park in Ladywood on 4 February. He had offered to pay the 46-year-old for sex – but soon after they got to the car park in Parker Street, Ladywood, he launched a frenzied attack, repeatedly kicking, stamping and jumping on the woman’s head. A man in a nearby building was alerted…

Latest news West Midlands Police support Birmingham Pride this weekend 26/05/2017 West Midlands Police will be working proudly alongside the community this weekend to ensure visitors to the city’s annual Pride festival enjoy a safe and happy event. The initial Pride parade begins at midday on Saturday (27 May) and officers will be ensuring the vibrant sea of colour and music passes safely through the centre of Birmingham. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, you will see an increase in police officers and staff around the city to keep the public safe. Officers and staff from the force’s LGBT Network - an internal West Midlands Police network for lesbian, gay, bisexual …

Latest news Five years jail for Birmingham rapist 26/05/2017 A man who raped a woman as she made her way home after celebrating her 21st birthday has today been jailed for five years and four months. Florian Lupu targeted the woman as she and two friends walked home from Broad Street in Birmingham. The three friends had taken a short cut through a building site near to Paradise Circus when they realised they couldn’t get out the other end. Lupu, who was nearby, helped the women by lifting the fence so they could get out. He then walked alongside the women attempting to befriend them, putting his arm around one of them. When she shrugged it off and walked ahead, L…

Latest news Five years jail for driver who killed pedestrian in Amblecote 26/05/2017 A driver who was using his mobile phone when he killed a pedestrian in Amblecote has been jailed. Ryan Freeth, of Marshall Crescent, Wordsley, was driving at speeds in excess of 48mph in a 30 limit when he hit 66-year-old Leslie Marks in November 2015. Freeth left Mr Marks injured in the road on Brettell Lane and deleted texts and call data from his mobile phone before returning to the scene. But, when officers checked his phone records, it revealed that he had made two calls at around the time of the collision. And at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 25 May) …

Latest news Hospital security call made in good faith 25/05/2017 Police were called to Queen Elizabeth Hospital at 6.20pm today (Thursday 25 May) following reports of a man acting suspiciously. Working alongside hospital security staff, officers detained and searched a 46-year-old Birmingham man in an area away from the main building. As a precaution access to parts of the hospital was restricted for around 50 minutes while checks were completed. Officers sent to investigate were supported by firearms officers including some who were already at the hospital. The man has not been arrested and the call to police by security staff was made in good faith. We thank t…

Latest news Van driver jailed after knocking down and killing teenage girl 25/05/2017 A Birmingham van driver who knocked down and killed a teenage girl on her way to school, has been jailed for seven years for causing death by dangerous driving. Neel Balu, aged 43 from Walsall, was driving a Mercedes Sprinter van, when it collided with 17-year-old Zoe Shapiro as she used a pedestrian crossing on a dual carriageway in Birmingham Road, Walsall. Balu, a self-employed builder, was driving towards Birmingham, when the collision took place in February 2016. A Birmingham van driver who knocked down and killed a teenage girl on her way to school, has been jailed for s…

Latest news When not to call 999! Police called about Debenhams not offering refund 25/05/2017 West Midlands Police is asking people to use the 999 service responsibly during the current heightened security state and only dial it for real emergencies. Last night the national security state was raised to critical, this means that not only does an attack remain highly likely but a further attack may be imminent. As a result emergency resources will be stretched and members of the public are reminded to only dial 999 if there is a threat to life or a genuine crime in progress and police attendance is immediately required. Examples of genuine emergencies include where …

Latest news Gang patrols lead to arrests and car seizures 25/05/2017 Four people were arrested and vehicles seized during an intensive roads policing operation yesterday (May 24) in the latest West Midlands Police response to gang disorder in south Birmingham. The nine-hour initiative (from 1-10pm) saw 10 marked and unmarked police cars, bikes and vans take to the streets on the lookout for suspicious activity. ‘Spotters’ from the force’s Organised Crime & Gangs Unit also joined the drive-round in Northfield, Kings Norton, Weoley Castle, Longbridge and Bartley Green on the hunt for people with suspected gang links. A 24-year-old man from Bartley Green was arre…

Latest news Birmingham man found guilty of terrorism offence 25/05/2017 A Birmingham man has been found guilty of a terrorism offence after potentially lethal bomb making equipment was found at his home. Zahid Hussain, a 29-year-old former doorman, constructed a home-made pressure cooker device, filled with shrapnel and adapted Christmas tree lights in an attempt to construct an improvised explosive device (IED). (Zahid Hussain) When officers searched his room in Naseby Drive, Alum Rock, Hussain was also found to be is possession of handwritten notes containing bomb making instructions, together with text books detailing guerrilla warfare techniques and small ar…

Latest news Birmingham teen jailed for attempted murder 24/05/2017 A teenager has been jailed for nine years after being found guilty of attempted murder. The 16-year-old from Sparkhill, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stabbed another boy, also aged 16, in the neck narrowly missing his carotid artery and leaving him in an induced coma in hospital last October. No motive has been established for the attack which happened on Stratford Road in Sparkhill as the victim was on his way to play football with a group of friends. His attacker approached the group with two others and asked to speak to the victim around a corner. When he refused, the teen lunged at …