News Room

Latest news Man charged with several offences after EDL protest in Sheldon 27/06/2016 A man has been charged with several offences after being arrested during an English Defence League protest in Sheldon on Saturday 25 June. Thomas Johnstone, of Hitchen Road in Luton, Bedfordshire, has been charged with two counts of racially aggravated public order, two counts of threatening behaviour and obstructing police. The 30-year-old was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning (Monday 27 June). View the full article

Latest news CCTV clues to bureau de change robbery in Kings Heath 27/06/2016 Detectives investigating an armed robbery at a travel shop bureau de change have released CCTV of a suspect in a bid to trace him. Extensive CCTV searches and local enquiries have been carried out after the man stole cash from Thompsons in Alcester Road South, Kings Heath on Monday 9 May just after 3.30pm. The offender demanded the money after placing a carrier bag containing what appeared to be a heavy object on the counter, before making off on foot. [embedded content] He is described as white, 6ft 1ins tall with a skinny build and aged 35 − 45. He had scruffy ginger stubble and was we…

Latest news Police hit the right beat with children 26/06/2016 A police orchestra hit the right note with schoolchildren in Birmingham after hosting music workshops at schools. The British Police Symphony Orchestra − which includes members from the West Midlands Police band − introduced youngsters to instruments and the influence of music. Members of the group went to three primary schools including The Oval in Yardley as part of the Play Out project earlier this month. The hour-long workshops for more than 20 children at a time saw musical games based around the story of Hansel and Gretel. Youngsters, aged four and above, were able to see a selection of instrume…

Latest news Protest in Sheldon passes off without incident 26/06/2016 A protest by the English Defence league passed off without incident yesterday (Saturday 25 June) with only two arrests and no reports of disorder or injuries. Around 30 people staged a rally on the Coventry Road, Sheldon, in Birmingham, between 1pm and 2.30pm; however resources were in place to ensure the event passed off safely and people could go about their business as usual in the area. There were no reports of serious disorder or injuries; a 30-year-old man was arrested for a public order offence after an offensive banner was displayed. The banner was seized, the man remains in police custod…

Latest news Appeal following a collision in Handsworth 25/06/2016 Police are appealing for witnesses after a boy suffered serious head injuries following a collision in Handsworth yesterday (Friday 24 June). The boy, a pedestrian, aged 9, was in a collision with a Ford Focus on Grove Lane near to the junction with Douglas Road and Hinstock Road at around 5.55pm Friday. He was taken to hospital with serious head injuries, where he remains in a critical condition. The driver of the car, a 23-year-old man was spoken to at the scene by officers and is assisting the enquiry. Police are appealing for anyone who saw the collision or anyone with information to call 101 q…

Latest news Birmingham men jailed for bottle attack 25/06/2016 A Birmingham man who inflicted devastating injuries on a sleeping man with a broken bottle has been jailed for over 17 years. Michael Jeffers, from Hamstead Road, Handsworth, burst into the bedsit of his 23-year-old victim in the early hours of 27 November last year and attacked him as he slept. As he struck him with the bottle, it broke and he stabbed him with it, causing multiple lacerations to his face and chest. The young man, from the same address, managed to escape from his room and ran into the street to flag down a passing motorist for assistance. He was taken to hospital and needed over 200 int…

Latest news Pupils learn new skills at West Midlands Police ‘Boot Camp’ 25/06/2016 A group of primary school pupils are being put through their paces during a police ‘Boot Camp’. The 10 and 11-year-olds are taking on activities and problem-solving tasks as part of a six-week programme organised by Sandwell Police. The West Bromwich Boot Camp was launched earlier this month and officers are working with West Midlands Fire Service, Sandwell Council and schools to develop new skills for young people. Nine pupils from three borough schools have signed up for sessions which are held once a week. They are aimed at promoting teamwork, showing respect, raising self-e…

Latest news Drugs ring jailed for 20 years after WMP smashes dealer operation 24/06/2016 A drugs gang has been jailed for more than 20 years after their dealer operation was busted by West Midlands Police. Officers recovered heroin and cocaine worth £300,000 from properties in Walsall. A police investigation linked Aqib Hussain, Mohammed Miah, Izrar Hussain and Omar Faroq to the Class A empire. They initially denied any involvement but admitted conspiracy to supply drugs in the face of overwhelming evidence built up by West Midlands Police detectives. Aqib Hussain and Miah were arrested leaving an address in Ampleforth Drive, Willenhall, on 22 October last year…

Latest news Shopkeeper foils robber with step ladders 24/06/2016 An armed man who attempted to rob a Wolverhampton convenience store was beaten off by the shopkeeper with a set of step ladders. Ben Blackmore, of no fixed address, demanded cash as he waved a large 10 inch knife at the wife of the owner of Parkfield Stores in Rooker Avenue on the afternoon of Tuesday 17 May. She alerted her husband, who came from the back of the shop, grabbing the small set of ladders for protection along the way. He used them to try and flick the knife from the offender’s grasp and was struck a couple of times in the process, receiving minor injuries to his hands. Blackmore wa…

Latest news Babur Raja jailed for attempting to murder pregnant girlfriend 23/06/2016 Babur Raja, who repeatedly knifed his pregnant girlfriend in the middle of Sutton Coldfield town centre in March, has been jailed today (Thursday 23 June) for 18 years. The 41-year-old car repair firm director, from Sutton, had previously admitted attempted murder at an earlier hearing in May when he appeared from prison via a video link. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on men who intervened; attempted child destruction in relation to the unborn baby; and possession of a knife in a public place. During today’s sentencing hearing the judge was shown an image tak…

Latest news Prison officer charged with smuggling drugs into jail 23/06/2016 A prison officer has been charged with smuggling drugs and psychoactive substances into HMP Birmingham. Richard Stack, from Kingstanding Road in Kingstanding, was detained at the Winson Green facility at 1.30pm yesterday (June 22) by West Midlands Police detectives working as part of the force’s prison-based investigation team. The 35-year-old has been charged with possessing cannabis, steroids and a psychoactive substance with intent to supply, two counts of conveying items into prison, and misconduct in a public office. He is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning. …

Latest news Police appeal and issue warning over Gumtree scam 22/06/2016 Officers have released CCTV footage and images of a man they are trying to trace following three burglaries in Birmingham and one in Walsall. The most recent occurred last Tuesday in Stechford. At 4pm the man – pictured − entered a house on Broadstone Road after arranging to buy a mobile phone advertised for sale on Gumtree. [embedded content] Once inside he managed to swap the handset for an identical dummy phone, and then left without paying. There have been three identical offences: 6 June – Lyncroft Road, Tyseley 6 June – Wolverhampton Road, Walsall 2 June – Eaton Road, Moseley The…

Latest news Prison officer arrested on suspicion of peddling drugs to inmates 22/06/2016 A prison officer has been arrested on suspicion of peddling drugs in HMP Birmingham and trying to smuggle psychoactive substances into the jail. The 35-year-old was detained at the Winson Green facility yesterday after avoiding a search of staff returning from lunch breaks. A package believed to contain psychoactive powder – formally known as legal highs – was later recovered from a rubbish bin while a search of the prison guard’s car revealed a roll of gaffer tape and suspected packages of cannabis leaf. All the substances have been sent off for quick-time forensic analysi…

Latest news Police appeal following robbery at Shirley Co-op 22/06/2016 Detectives have launched an investigation after a robbery at Co-op in Shirley on Monday night (20 June). Three men entered the Farmhouse Way store and threatened staff at 9.50pm with what is believed to have been a Stanley knife and a hammer. They then ran out the store and across the car park towards Monkspath Hall Road with a considerable amount of cash in a holdall. Officers continue to trawl CCTV in the surrounding area. Detective Constable Jon Rankin said: "I would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of at the time and may have seen the suspects or witnessed the robbery. “I a…

Latest news Second arrest in Handsworth murder investigation 22/06/2016 A second man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Birmingham man Umesh Parekh. The 34-year-old was fatally stabbed in Waverhill Park, Handsworth on Sunday 19 June. A forensic post mortem examination revealed that he died as a result of stab injuries. A 40-year-old man handed himself in at a local station yesterday (Tuesday 21 June) and was arrested on suspicion of murder. Meanwhile a 26-year-old man who was arrested earlier yesterday has been released without charge. Detective Inspector Harry Harrison, said: “This is still very much an active investigation and we continue to a…