News Room

Latest news 101-years jail for drug gang downed by West Midlands Police 16/06/2016 A drugs gang supplying heroin, cocaine and cannabis on an “industrial scale” in Birmingham have been jailed for a total of 101 years after West Midlands Police brought down their network. Detectives uncovered drug safe houses, cannabis factories and an extensive chain of dealer phones allocated names such as ‘The T Line’ used to take orders and even issue text advertisements. Shaymas Ulhaq (pictured), from Weston Road in Handsworth, was identified as the kingpin who oversaw six cannabis grows – including one with a £150,000 yield operating from the back of a tyre firm in Erdington – …

Latest news Man sentenced to 10 years in prison for Castle Vale taxi robbery 15/06/2016 An armed robber who threatened and stole money from a taxi driver has been jailed for 10 years after being tracked down by West Midlands Police. Anthony Hoey had an imitation sawn-off shot gun and a kitchen knife when he robbed a taxi driver during the early hours of Wednesday 2 March. Hoey, of Mulwych Road, Tile Cross, booked a taxi to collect him from outside the Wheatsheaf Pub, Coventry Road in Sheldon. He asked to be taken to Oldknow Road, Small Heath and when they arrived he refused to pay the £6.60 fare. He pointed the gun and knife at the driver, made threats and demand…

Latest news Witness appeal after man injured in Birmingham collision 15/06/2016 Police are appealing for witnesses after a young man was left fighting for his life in a collision in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 15 June). The 22-year-old was driving a silver Seat Ibiza which collided with concrete fencing on Ashted Circus off Lawley Middleway in Birmingham city bound around 2am. He was rushed to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. The road remained closed for several hours while emergency services were at the scene. Sergeant Steve Newbury, from the Collision Investigation Unit, said: "I would like to hear from anyone who saw what happ…

Latest news Coventry man named after street robbery death 15/06/2016 Police have named a Coventry man who died following reports of a street robbery in the city centre on Monday (13 June). Adam Chandler (previously known as Adam Holmes), pictured, was found unconscious near to Pool Meadow bus station around 10.50am. The 51-year-old was taken to hospital, where he sadly died. A post mortem carried out yesterday was inconclusive and further tests will be conducted to establish the cause of death. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of his murder. A 35-year-old has been released on police bail and two men, aged 27 and 28, remain in police custody assis…

Latest news Five arrested following disorder in Castle Vale 15/06/2016 Police have arrested five men following disorder in Castle Vale last night (Tuesday 14 June). Officers were called to Chigwell Close at 7.50pm, following reports of fighting in the street. One man was treated for a head injury following the fight- no other injuries have been reported. A number of weapons were recovered by police, which had been discarded in the street, including knives, a machete and an axe. Detective Sergeant Sam Price from Force CID said: “Investigations into the disorder are continuing- part of the road remains sealed this morning while forensic enquiries are on-going. We w…

Latest news Banning orders for footy thugs following derby day disorder 15/06/2016 Three football thugs who squared up to police while trying to confront rival fans have been banned from games for a total of 13 years. West Midlands Police has released footage (below) of disorder at last season’s Aston Villa vs West Bromwich Albion derby – and vowed to take action against anyone connected to hooliganism. Albion followers John Ritchie, Carl Ashmore and Robert Bernard (pic left to right) can be seen fronting a surge towards Villa supporters as trouble flared at the end of FA Cup quarter final tie. A police divide had been created to separate the two sets of supporter…

Latest news Three arrested after man dies following street robbery 14/06/2016 Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died following reports of a street robbery in Coventry yesterday (Monday 13 June). A 51-year-old man was found unconscious near to Pool Meadow bus station in the city centre around 10.50am. He was taken to hospital, where he sadly died. A post mortem carried out today was inconclusive and further tests will be conducted to establish the cause of death. Detective Inspector Warren Hines from Force CID, said: "We are continuing to follow up a number of lines of enquiry. "The incident began with the theft of a bicycle from …

Latest news Prolific beggar banned from Birmingham City Centre 14/06/2016 A prolific beggar, who repeatedly caused a nuisance by pestering people for cash, has been banned from Birmingham city centre. Police have been granted a second Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) against repeat offender, Lee Pearce for begging and pestering people for cash. Pearce is now forbidden from entering the city centre for two years. Officers pursued court action after 36-year-old Pearce breached a previous CBO following concerns from shoppers and businesses. In January 2016, Lee Pearce was originally issued a two-year CBO to prevent him from begging and approaching members of the pub…

Latest news Police name Wolverhampton crash victim 14/06/2016 Police have named a man killed in a collision in Wolverhampton last week. Adam Tranter’s silver Seat Leon overturned after leaving the road and hitting a fence in Barnhurst Lane, Pendeford in the early hours of Thursday 9 June. The 22-year-old later died in hospital. His sister has issued the following tribute on behalf of the family: “Adam was the one person with the ability to change your mood in an instant, with his cheeky smile and handsome face. In life you meet people who have a negative attitude to life but not Adam, he saw the bright side of everything he always put his family first and was alwa…

Latest news West Midlands Police secures early Euro 2016 exit for footy lout 14/06/2016 A footy lout has suffered an early exit from Euro 2016 – after an eagle-eyed West Midlands Police officer spotted him on TV clashing with rival fans. Members of the force’s dedicated Football Unit analysed news clips of violence in Marseille and identified Birmingham City supporter Daniel Warlow (pictured) hurling a chair during ugly scenes on the eve of the tournament (Fri June 10). The 24-year-old, from Spring Meadow in Tipton, was handed a court summons when he returned to the UK. And today (Tues 14 June) he was handed a Football Banning Order (FBO) at Birmingham Magistrate…

Latest news M6 driver caught eating porridge at the wheel 14/06/2016 Almost 300 motorists were caught by motorway cops during a week-long campaign tackling distracted driving and mobile phone use behind the wheel. A driver eating porridge on the M6, a woman applying make-up at the wheel, and a biker steering one-handed while he took a call were among the most shocking incidents encountered by the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG). In total, 289 people were found using a hand-held device or driving carelessly during the May 23-26 campaign. First time offenders were offered the chance to attend a driver improvement course, while others were fined and had licences…

Latest news Two charged with murder of Coventry man Liam McGerrigan 14/06/2016 Police have charged two men with the murder of Coventry man Liam McGerrigan who died from a stab wound to the chest on Thursday 9 June. Joseph Johnson, aged 25 of no fixed address, and Michael Bullingham, aged 33 from Banner Lane, Coventry, and both unemployed, will appear before Birmingham magistrates today (Tuesday 14 June). Mr McGerrigan was found just after 10pm at an address in Holyhead Road, where it is believed the 25-year-old had staggered after being fatally wounded in the street. His family have issued the following tribute: "When did silence become so painful? Our loss of s…

Latest news Appeal after man attacked at Primrose Hill, Hillfields 13/06/2016 Police are appealing for information after a man was attacked near to a leisure centre at Primrose Hill in Hillfields yesterday (12 June). Officers were called to Oxford Street at around 4am following a report that a man had collapsed in the street. A 26-year-old man was found with a puncture wound to his arm and taken to hospital where he continues to be treated for serious injuries. His condition is described as stable. Investigating detectives believe that the assault may have happened on Berry Street where the man staggered into an alleyway before collapsing on Oxford Street. Th…

Latest news Appeal after man dies in suspected Coventry street robbery 13/06/2016 Police were called to Fairfax Street at around 10.50am this morning (13 June) following reports of a street robbery. Officers found a man believed to be in his 50s unconscious; he was taken to hospital where he sadly died. Officers have launched an investigation and have cordoned off an area of Fairfax Street near to Pool Meadow bus station and a part of Lady Herbert’s Garden while they examine the scene. Detective Inspector Warren Hines from Force CID, said: “We are in the very early stages of the investigation and following a number of lines of enquiry. “I want to appeal to anyo…

Latest news Hit-and-run in Coventry leaves pedestrian seriously injured 13/06/2016 Police are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian was injured during a hit-and-run in Coventry last Monday (6 June). Officers were called to reports of a collision between a transit van and woman in Binley Road, Stoke, at around 9.55pm. The van left the scene and a 35-year-old woman was taken to hospital with serious facial and back injuries - where she continues to be treated. Traffic officers are urging anyone with information to the hit-and-run, near the junction of Phoenix Way, to come forward. PC Chris Brock said: "This was a nasty collision and the driver of the vehi…