News Room

Latest news “Lawless” biker suspects arrested in blitz on road menaces 07/12/2016 More than 20 people have been arrested and an array of motorbikes seized in the biggest West Midlands Police offensive yet on biker louts. Up to 40 warrants have been executed across the force area – from Coventry to the Black Country – by officers on the hunt for bikers who’ve brought chaos to the region’s roads in a series of “lawless” rallies. A total of 25 people were arrested in the three-day blitz (Dec 5-7) on suspicion of causing a public nuisance, dangerous driving and other motoring offences. And 27 motorbikes, including scramblers, pit bikes, mini moto’s, scramblers, road b…

Latest news Police charge man in connection with Selly Oak shooting 07/12/2016 Police investigating a shooting in Selly Oak, Birmingham in July, in which a man was injured, have charged a man with attempted murder in connection with the incident. Chad Greatbatch, aged 20, from Northfield, has been charged in connection with a shooting, which took place in Tiverton Road, Selly Oak on Sunday 10 July 2016. A 27-year-old man was shot in the upper arm through the window of his car just before 11.30pm. He was taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery for his injury. Greatbatch will appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on 29 December in connection with the fur…

Latest news Birmingham man remanded for trial on murder charge as investigation continues 07/12/2016 A man has been remanded in custody after appearing at court charged with the murder of Wolverhampton nurse Lisa Skidmore. Leroy Campbell, aged 55 from Forest Road, Moseley, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday (5 December) charged with murder, two counts of rape and arson with intent to endanger life, as well as the attempted murder of Lisa’s mother. He was remanded into custody for a further hearing on 9 January next year at Birmingham Crown Court with a provisional trial date set for the end of May. Lisa Skidmore, aged 37, died from strangu…

Latest news Man found guilty of handing over cash to Brussels airport attack suspect 06/12/2016 A man has been convicted of funding terrorism after handing over cash to a Brussels bomb suspect. Zakaria Boufassil was convicted following a trial at Kingston Crown Court where the jury heard details of how Boufassil, together with Mohammed Ali Ahmed, arranged and carried out a meeting with Brussels bomb suspect Mohammed Abrini in a Small Heath park. Between 9 and 16 July 2015, £3,000 cash was handed over by the pair who knew the money could or would be used to fund terrorism. Mohammed Ali Ahmed pleaded guilty to the charge against him - engaging in conduct in preparati…

Latest news Appeal to trace conman who tricked pensioner in Bilston 06/12/2016 Police are hunting a cruel conman who posed as a gas man to trick his way into a pensioner’s home. The conman struck in Bilston Lane on 11 November at around 2.10pm, claiming he had been sent to carry out work by British Gas. The woman who resides at the property, an 85-year-old woman, let the man inside believing he was from British Gas to carry out the supposed work. Once inside the house he asked her to go into the kitchen and run the hot water tap. While she was gone he went into her bedroom, rifled through her belongings and stole a purse containing cash and a bus pass then left th…

Latest news Appeal to trace killer in unsolved shooting 06/12/2016 Detectives investigating the murder of a Birmingham man eight years ago, say they have re-opened the inquiry following new evidence which has come to light about the incident which led to his death. Stephon Davidson, aged 19, was shot on 5 August 2008 while travelling as a passenger in a car along Monument Road in Ladywood. He suffered a gunshot wound to his neck and died from his injuries in hospital almost a month later. (Stephon Davidson) Despite extensive enquiries over the past years, no-one has yet been charged in connection with Stephon’s death. However, following new information, police…

Latest news Officer breaks domestic abuse silence and urges survivors to seek support 05/12/2016 A West Midlands Police employee has spoken of the domestic abuse she suffered from her controlling ex-husband before finally breaking free – and is now urging fellow survivors to speak out and seek support this Christmas. The community officer, who works in the Black Country, was subjected to emotional and psychological torment – plus regular bouts of physical abuse – throughout her two-and-a-half year relationship. In an emotional outpouring she’s told how he made her life a “living hell” as he dictated who she was allowed to talk to, controlled her finances, and rule…

Latest news Kind-hearted PCSO is a stem cell life-saver 04/12/2016 A big-hearted West Midlands Police officer is to give the ultimate present this Christmas… the gift of life. Caring PCSO Steve Hopley will donate bone marrow stem cells to help save the life of a leukaemia sufferer he’s never even met − and will never meet. It is the second time the 58-year-old Wolverhampton officer has undergone the procedure − which can take over six hours − and sees millions of stem cells taken from his body and transplanted into a recipient to replace damaged blood cells. The grandfather-of-two was inspired to become a donor having read about the plight of youngster Anthony…

Latest news Touching tribute to officers who “showed love and care" to murder victim in his final moments 04/12/2016 The family of a Birmingham businessman shot dead during an armed robbery have paid an emotional tribute to the West Midlands Police officers who battled to try and save his life. Sergeants Richard Nutt and Julie Kempson, plus PC Matt Moore, were first on the scene of the warehouse raid in Digbeth where Akhtar Javeed had suffered gunshot wounds to his leg, chest and face. The officers administered first aid in a bid to stem the blood loss and performed CPR for around 30 minutes while paramedics performed advanced trauma care. PC Moore then ‘blue li…

Latest news Sex attacker spoke with Scottish accent − appeal to trace attacker 04/12/2016 Detectives in Birmingham are hunting a man who subjected a 63-year-old woman to a serious sexual assault while walking near a local nature reserve. The woman was at Wychall Reservoir on 18 November when she was approached by a man who asked for a cigarette light. She obliged but moments later − on a path running between Popes Lane and Wychall Road − he grabbed her from behind, dragged her to the floor and assaulted her. It’s understood the attacker − a white man thought to be in his 30s or 40s − spoke with a Scottish accent and was smartly dressed in blue trousers and black…

Latest news Police appeal for information after ram raid 03/12/2016 Officers are appealing for witnesses and information following a ram raid at a building society in Sheldon in the early hours of this morning (December 3). The robbery took place between 3am and 3.25am when offenders used vehicles to smash into the front window of the Halifax Building Society on Coventry Road. They stole a cash machine before making off in a number of vehicles. They left a white Ford Transit van behind at the scene. Detectives are urging anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen the suspects to come forward. We’re also keen to hear from anyone who believes they m…

Latest news Safer Travel save Christmas! 03/12/2016 The Safer Travel Partnership has been giving Santa a helping hand this year to make sure children in the West Midlands get their Christmas presents. Officers from British Transport Police and West Midlands Police used all three forms of public transport to deliver gifts for youngsters on University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust’s children’s ward to open on Christmas Day. Along with staff from Transport for West Midlands, the officers gave up their free time and − dressed as elves − sang and danced their way from Birmingham to Coventry on the tram, train and bus, spreading a little festive…

Latest news Appeal after man robbed at gunpoint 02/12/2016 Detectives have launched an investigation after a man was robbed at gunpoint yesterday (1 December). Officers were called to New Imperial Crescent, Tyseley, Birmingham at around 9pm. It is believed that the 47-year-old had planned to meet someone at the location after he had advertised a watch for sale. However, when he arrived at the meeting point he was threatened by a group of men described as Asian, two were heavy builds and one man was of a slim build. When he refused to hand over his watch they produced what is believed to be a handgun and discharged several shots. The thieves fled with the man's p…

Latest news West Midlands Police confirm investigation into historical allegations of child sexual abuse 02/12/2016 West Midlands Police can confirm it is currently investigating four historical allegations of child sexual abuse in football. We are now in the process of speaking to the complainants and providing support through our specialist team of officers. West Midlands Police takes all reports of sexual abuse extremely seriously and would urge anyone who thinks they may be a victim or witness to abuse to call us on 101. View the full article

Latest news Crackdown on drink and drug drivers this Christmas 02/12/2016 Irresponsible drivers who get behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs are being targeted by West Midlands Police as the force launches its Christmas campaign. Officers armed with drug-testing kits and breathalysers will stop motorists suspected of putting lives at danger during the festive season. The annual drink and drug driving campaign was launched by West Midlands Police and the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) this week. Officers are using latest technology − a drive simulator that replicates the effect of drink driving − to stress the dangers of taking to public …