News Room

Latest news Coventry mail jailed for over a quarter of a century for historical child abuse 03/03/2017 A Coventry man has been jailed for 26 years for historical sex offences committed while he was living in Earlsdon. Clive Reeves, aged 54 from Aldridge Avenue, Tile Hill, was handed the hefty sentence at Warwick Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 2 March) after being convicted of rape and indecent assault against two young girls following a five day trial. The offences began in the early 80s when his first victim was aged 11 and carried on for around four years. Reeves’ second victim was just seven when she fell prey to his deviant behaviour and continued unti…

Latest news Man charged with snooker hall murder 03/03/2017 A man will appear in court today charged with murder after a pensioner died following an altercation at a Coventry snooker hall earlier this week. Carl Pinder, aged 37 of Foster Road, Radford, will appear at Coventry Magistrates Court accused of killing 68-year-old Patrick Redmond. Mr Redmond was taken to hospital following the assault at Riley’s Snooker Hall in Hertford Place, but later died from his injuries. View the full article

Latest news Drivers hit with new tougher penalties in police crackdown on using a mobile phone 03/03/2017 More than 100 motorists have been caught using their mobile phone at the wheel in just two days - as traffic cops use new stronger penalties to crackdown on distracted drivers in the West Midlands. Officers from the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) are enforcing the tougher Government laws which mean a £200 fine and six penalty points for those caught. A week-long police crackdown has been launched by CMPG - which is made up of officers from West Midlands, Staffordshire and West Mercia police forces - to coincide with the increased punishments which cam…

Latest news Man sentenced to 13 years in prison for manslaughter 02/03/2017 A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison today (Thursday) after stabbing an old acquaintance to death in a Birmingham street last summer. Alex Habte, from Conybere Street, Highgate, was handed down the lengthy prison term after being convicted of the killing following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. Officers arrested him after the knife attack on 26-year-old year old Samuel Simret outside an off-licence in Summer Lane, Newtown, was clearly captured on CCTV. Police investigating the offence, which took place at around 7.45pm on August 23, were able to trace Habte than…

Latest news West Midlands Police judged ‘good’ in the latest HMIC police inspection 02/03/2017 West Midlands Police has been assessed as good overall in the latest PEEL Effectiveness report released today (Thursday 2 March) by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC). The report, which rates every police force in the country, says West Midlands Police is good at preventing crime, tackling anti-social behaviour and keeping people safe, highlighting the broad range of methods used to communicate with the public. The force was also assessed as good at investigating crime and reducing re-offending, praising the new crime recording process which ensures victims a…

Latest news Man dies in Coventry snooker hall assault 01/03/2017 A man has died after being assaulted in Coventry city centre on Monday night (27 February). Patrick Redmond, aged 68 from Coundon, was punched to the floor in Riley’s Snooker Hall, Hertford Place just before 11pm and was taken to hospital with a serious head injury. Sadly nothing could be done to save him and Mr Redmond’s life support was switched off yesterday (Tuesday 28 February). A 37-year-old Radford man was arrested on suspicion of wounding and has now been re-arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody while enquiries continue. Chief Inspector Ed Foster said: “This is a …

Latest news Good Citizen's Award for Birmingham city council refuse worker 28/02/2017 Birmingham city council refuse worker has been given a Chief Constable’s Good Citizen’s Award. In the early hours of Monday 7 March last year, Robert Dovestone was working in Broad Street, Birmingham when he noticed a distressed woman being followed by a man. He then saw the pair start arguing and when Robert heard screams from the woman, he made the quick decision to reverse the lorry he was driving to see if the woman was ok. He then saw the man assault the woman so he intervened and grabbed the man by his shoulders and managed to restrain him until police arrived. Such was the…

Latest news Search for missing man Reuben Joseph 28/02/2017 Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of a 24-year-old patient who went missing from Hallam Street Hospital in West Bromwich this morning (28 February). Reuben Joseph has not been seen since around 10am. He was last seen wearing grey jogging bottoms and a blue vest. Reuben is described as black and 6ft tall with a full beard and short black hair. Anyone who has seen Reuben is urged to call the Missing Persons Team at Sandwell on 101. View the full article

Latest news Man charged in connection with terrorism offence 27/02/2017 A 26-year-old man has tonight (Monday 27 February) been charged in connection with Syria-related terrorism offences. Ismael Watson, of no fixed abode, will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court tomorrow (28 February). He is charged with: Between the 1 January 2016 and 23 February 2017 with the intention of committing acts of terrorism engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to that intention. Contrary to Section 5 Terrorism Act 2006: Watson was arrested on (23 February) at Heathrow Airport after arriving on a flight from Turkey. The arrest was pre-planned and intelligence-…

Latest news Police appeal for witnesses following Castle Bromwich collision 27/02/2017 The family of a man who died last week after being hit by a car in Castle Bromwich have paid tribute to ‘a loving father and husband’. Alan Watkinson, aged 73, was hit by a Vauxhall Zafira on Sunday 18 Feb on Wyckham Road, at the junction with Windleaves Road. He tragically died days later on 24 February. The cause of his death is still being investigated. His family said: "Alan Frank Watkinson, a retired JLR worker, was a loving husband to Pauline, father to two sons, Julian and Chris and grandfather to their families. He will be sadly missed." Police are now appealing for wi…

Latest news WMP helps evict travellers from illegal camp in school grounds 27/02/2017 West Midlands Police officers have helped evict a large group of travellers who formed an illegal camp on the grounds of a Birmingham school - and forced it to close its doors to hundreds of students. Around 60 adults in 20 caravans, along with an array of towing vehicles, descended on the car park of Shenley Academy on Friday afternoon. The group, which also included children, dogs and a horse, ignored a 24-hour eviction notice served on them by council bailiffs on Saturday. It meant the Academy could only partially open this morning (Mon 27 Feb) with several hundred pupils be…

Latest news Emergency services training exercise at intu Merry Hill 27/02/2017 West Midlands Police, together with partner emergency services, took part in a live-play training exercise at intu Merry Hill last weekend to test the force’s response to a major incident. The exercise, on Sunday 26 February, was designed to enhance the skills of emergency responders when managing a major incident and was not in relation to any specific threat. This was just one of many exercises held regularly across the country and provides invaluable training and experience for all staff. Preparation and testing is integral in helping to ensure the West Midlands and the UK is res…

Latest news Residents and police praised for actions in Walsall blaze 26/02/2017 The neighbours of a Walsall couple, whose home was gutted by fire, have been praised for their bravery and compassion. Five neighbours sprang into action when an electrical fault caused an aggressive blaze to take hold in the late afternoon of 18 January last year in Elmstead Close. Pete Sahota was the first to raise the alarm as he ran to assist the elderly resident from his garage who was already suffering from shock and panic. Our own WMP staff member Gary Dudey rushed to the assistance of the man’s wife, who was stranded in the garden, and led her to safety. The couple’s daughter…

Latest news Investigation launched following trouble at Wolves v Blues match 26/02/2017 Police have criticised a small minority of fans after trouble broke out at the Wolves v Blues match on Friday 24 February. The Championship fixture was held at the Molineux Stadium on Friday evening where Wolverhampton Wanderers were defeated by rivals Birmingham City FC 1-2. Following Birmingham City’s second goal, Wolves supporters are believed to have thrown bottles, seats, and coins from the Steve Bull and South Bank stadium. And a disorder broke out, forcing police to use force to quell the trouble, when Birmingham City fans clashed with Wolves supporters near to the tr…

Latest news Family’s online appeal helps police catch knuckle duster thug 25/02/2017 A robber who hit a shop worker in the face with a knuckle duster has been jailed for six years - after social media helped West Midlands Police bring him to justice. Oliver Stanton (pictured) left his victim with nasty facial cuts and bruises following the attack in Clarkes Lane, Willenhall, on 12 January this year. Stanton punched the worker - aged in his 60s - outside Touchdown Vapes as the shop was closing for the day and stole a box of vapes. Following the robbery the victim’s family posted a picture of his injuries on Facebook and asked for anyone with information to contact…