News Room

Latest news Appeal for information to find missing Wolverhampton man 10/07/2016 Police are appealing for help to find a man who has gone missing from his Wolverhampton home. Clarence Roberts was last seen in the early hours of Sunday morning. The 82-year-old suffers with dementia and police believe he may try to use public transport to travel towards Birmingham Airport. He is described as black, 5ft 6ins tall, medium build, short grey hair, clean shaven, brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a grey checked suit, a white shirt and a hat. He also wears glasses. PC Dan Abbiss, from Wolverhampton Police, said: “We’re really concerned for Clarence as he can easily be…

Latest news Detainee praises new police cells in Trip Advisor inspired review! 10/07/2016 West Midlands Police’s new state-of-the-art custody suite in Perry Barr has won praise from an unlikely source − a detainee who’s written a Trip Advisor style review on his overnight cell stay! The man arrived at the purpose-built, 60-cell facility on the evening of 29 June after being arrested for criminal damage at a property in Erdington. He was charged the following day but before his release the 24-year-old, from Erdington, took time to compose a review detailing observations during his 16-hour visit. In his inspection report he comments on “how modern and clean the bui…

Latest news Police takes tough stance against lying speeders 09/07/2016 Deceitful drivers are being targeted by West Midlands Police following a surge in speedsters trying to swerve penalty points. Officers have already launched 45 investigations into drivers who are suspected of perverting the course of justice so far this year − compared to 24 throughout the whole of 2015. The most common excuses given by motorists include they were not driving, that the number plate had been cloned, or they never received a ticket in the post. Officers have already pursued successful court action, and jail terms in some cases, after using covert work and intelligence systems.…

Latest news Knife robber comes off second best after burgling brothers 09/07/2016 A “one-man crime wave" who robbed shops armed with a bread knife met his match when breaking into the home of two brothers − and is pictured in police custody hours later sporting scars from the bruising encounter. Kyle Copson held-up a staff member at knifepoint in Sai News, in Coventry’s Binley Road, on 4 December before fleeing with cash. Just two days later he stole a Ford Fiesta left running unattended in Longfellow Road and then used it to get away from another shop robbery − this time at One Stop in Acorn Street − where he again brandished a knife. As he made his escape with …

Latest news Appeal to find missing Birmingham pensioner 09/07/2016 Police are appealing for help to find Alphonso Worrell who has gone missing from the Small Heath area of Birmingham. Alphonso, who has been missing before, was last seen at around Midday on Friday 8 July. He was reported missing to officers just after midnight. The 90-year-old suffers with dementia and can easily become confused. In the past he has taken to the bus network when he has gone missing and we would ask anyone who has seen him to call us as soon as possible. He is described as black, 5ft 4ins tall, shaved head and is believed to be wearing a long, blue bomber jacket. If you’ve seen Alph…

Latest news Police investigate after girl dies in collision 08/07/2016 Police have today confirmed that a three year-old girl has died after a collision in Erdington on Wednesday (6 July). The youngster - who was on a bike - was crossing Chester Road with her mother when they were hit by a Volkswagen Passat at just after midday. They were rushed to hospital but despite the best efforts of medical staff the young girl died from her injuries that evening. Her mother suffered serious injuries but remains in a stable condition. The driver of the car was not arrested but is assisting the police with their investigation. Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the West Midlands P…

Latest news All bodies are recovered after wall collapse at Nechells scrap metal yard 08/07/2016 The bodies of all five men who died following a wall collapse at a Nechells scrap metal yard have now been recovered. A joint emergency services operation has been under way at Hawkesley Metal recycling plant since yesterday (Thursday). Two bodies were recovered from the site in Aston Church Road yesterday and the other three have now been freed from the rubble. Formal identification of the victims, who are understood to be from the local Gambian community and were agency staff working at the facility, will take place in due course. West Midlands Police investigators …

Latest news Recovery process continues after fatal scrap yard wall collapse 08/07/2016 A joint emergency services operation continues today at the site of a Nechells scrap metal yard where five men died following a wall collapse. West Midlands Police investigators are working with specialist fire colleagues and the Health and Safety Executive in a bid to understand what led to a concrete structure - comprising of 1.5-tonne blocks - giving way at the Hawkesley Metal recycling plant. All five men are understood to be from the local Gambian community and were agency staff working at the facility. Two bodies were recovered from the site in Aston Church Road yesterda…

Latest news Appeal on the four year anniversary of Tom Kirwan's death 08/07/2016 On the fourth anniversary of Thomas Kirwan’s death detectives say that they are still determined to secure justice for his family. Tom was murdered on the evening of 8 July 2012 when a disagreement between two groups of people took place outside the former Uberra nightclub. Events escalated after a further group arrived in vehicles and joined in the disorder and 23-year-old Tom Kirwan was stabbed and collapsed. An ambulance was flagged down and Tom was taken to hospital, where he later died. A friend of Tom’s was also stabbed that night; despite suffering head injuries, he survived …

Latest news West Midlands Police moves during innovative Walsall partnership 08/07/2016 West Midlands Police officers have completed a move into Walsall Civic Centre as part of an innovative partnership approach. The new office - in the heart of Walsall Town Centre - means police staff can now work more closely with council colleagues to better serve and protect the public. The base is now home to 64 staff from the Paddock, Palfrey, Pleck and St Matthews neighbourhood teams including the partnership team. It includes a dedicated, secure police area while there is also a shared space for police and council staff. Chief Superintendent Jo Clews, of Walsall Police, …

Latest news Man charged in connection with disorder in Sparkbrook 07/07/2016 A man has been charged following a disorder in Henley Street, Sparkbrook on Tuesday (5 July). Unemployed Zaccri Smith, aged 18 of Kimberley Road, Solihull, was due at Birmingham Magistrates Court today (7 July) to face charges of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and affray. Two other men, aged 18 and 20, who were arrested on suspicion of affray, have been released on police bail pending further enquiries. Local officers are working closely with the local community as the investigation continues and anyone who saw what happened is asked to call police on 101. Al…

Latest news Five confirmed dead in Nechells industrial accident 07/07/2016 Police can confirm that five men have died after an industrial accident at a recycling site in Nechells this morning. Officers were called by West Midlands Ambulance Service at 8.45am to Hawkeswood Metal in Aston Church Road to reports that a wall had collapsed. The scene in Aston Church Road, Nechells Emergency services attended but the men could not be saved and they were pronounced dead at the scene. Another man has been taken to hospital with serious leg injuries. An investigation into what happened is now underway. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been notified and are assist…

Latest news Police ‘Batman’ praised for saving protected species from rogue developer 07/07/2016 West Midlands Police’s very own Batman has been praised by wildlife groups for saving an endangered colony from the rafters of a mansion set for demolition. Wildlife Crime Officer PC Andy Timmins stepped in to stop development at a £1-million manor in Hampton-in-Arden where several rare species – including Natterer’s bats, Soprano Pipistrelles and Brown Long-Eared bats – and had been found roosting in a loft space. They were identified following an ecological survey in 2012 and the property owner told a protected species licence – outlining conditions designed to prote…

Latest news Ten men sentenced for sexual offences against young men 06/07/2016 Ten men have been sentenced today (Wednesday 6 July) for committing historical sexual offences against two young men who were both sexually exploited in their teens. The men were convicted following a 12 week trial in May. The court heard how two separate victims had been left traumatised by the abuse. One of the victims was aged 15 at the time of the offences in 2002 and 2003, the second was between 14 and 15 at the time of the offences in 2009 and 2010; both were extremely vulnerable. Between 2005 and 2010, the 14-year-old boy had been in local authority care. On 1…

Latest news Two injured in Erdington collision 06/07/2016 Chester Road in Erdington is currently closed between Court Lane and Woodchurch Grange following a collision between a car and two pedestrians. A woman and a young child have been taken to hospital with serious injuries following the crash just after midday. Emergency services are currently at the scene. Any witnesses who have not already spoken to police are urged to contact the Regional Collision Investigation Unit on 101. Officers are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a black Audi who assisted after the collision. View the full article