News Room

Latest news Man dies in Dudley collision 21/05/2016 Police are appealing for witnesses after a man died in a collision near to the Black Country Museum yesterday (Friday 20 May). A Jaguar and an HGV collided on the Birmingham New Road, Tipton just after 10:30pm. Despite the best efforts of ambulance colleagues the 52-year-old passenger of the Jaguar was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was treated in hospital for head injuries and remains in a stable condition. The driver of the HGV was uninjured. Police Constable Chris Ridge, from the Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We have spoken to a number of witnesses at the scene of the collision but I woul…

Latest news Hats off to record breakers remembering police-mad Finlay 21/05/2016 Police hats belonging to West Midlands Police officers - including one from Chief Constable Dave Thompson - have helped set an unusual charity world record in memory of schoolboy Finlay Church. The police-mad 11-year-old dreamed of being a police officer when he grew up - but his life was cruelly cut short weeks before Christmas when he finally succumbed to an aggressive brain tumour. West Midlands Police officers formed a guard of honour when Fin - who spent a day with the force as a special guest last year - was laid to rest on 7 December. Fin’s legacy was a charity kitty topping £1…

Latest news Ten men guilty of teenage sex ring 20/05/2016 Twelve men have been convicted of historical sexual offences against two young men who were both sexually exploited in their teens. Over the last 12 weeks, a jury at Warwick Crown 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 19 December 2009, aged 14, he failed to return from a family visit and was reported as a m…

Latest news Man charged with murder in connection with Birmingham double shooting 20/05/2016 Detectives investigating a double shooting in Birmingham last October have charged a man with murder. Tafarwa Beckford, from Duchess Road in Ladywood, was arrested yesterday (May 19) in connection with a disorder in Soho Hill in the early hours of 30 October 2015 that left one man dead and another fighting for his life. The 33-year-old has been charged with the murder of Derek Junior Myers, aged 25, from Handsworth and will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court tomorrow morning (21 May). Derek suffered a fatal gunshot wound during the disorder and was pronounced dead in h…

Latest news Man charged with attempted murder in double shooting case 20/05/2016 Detectives investigating a double shooting in Birmingham last October have charged a man with attempted murder. Rio Sanchez-Williams, from Orchard Street in Dudley, was arrested yesterday afternoon (May 19) in connection with a disorder in Soho Hill in the early hours of 30 October that left one man dead and another fighting for his life. Last night 27-year-old Sanchez-Williams was charged with the attempted murder of 29-year-old Marvin Duffus - who remains critically ill in hospital - and he’s due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning (May 20). Detective Superintend…

Latest news Woman dies in Netherton house fire 20/05/2016 Police have launched an investigation after a woman was found dead in a house fire yesterday (Thursday 19 May). Officers were called to Spring Road in Netherton at around 7.40am following reports of a fire. The body of a 67-year-old woman was discovered in the downstairs front lounge to the address; a 36-year-old woman was also taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. The death is currently being treated as unexplained while officers continue to investigate the circumstances around the fire. Sergeant Richard Narrowmore, from Dudley police, said: "I would like to commend the neighbours in Spring …

Latest news Man charged with murder after body found in Warley 19/05/2016 A man will appear before magistrates tomorrow charged with murder after a body was discovered at a flat in Thompson Road, Warley yesterday (18 May). Unemployed Darren Lander, aged 28, of no fixed address, has been remanded in custody and is due before Sandwell Magistrates Court in the morning. The victim has been named as 32-year-old Richard Groves, of Thompson Road. Detective Chief Inspector Martin Slevin is appealing for witnesses. He said: “I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious in or around Thompson road between 5pm and midnight on Monday 16 May…

Latest news Two loaded handguns found in Tipton raid 19/05/2016 Police have recovered two loaded handguns and live ammunition from a house in Tipton. Officers raided the property on Victoria Road at around 2.45am today (19 May) following intelligence that firearms were inside the property. One weapon was found under floorboards in the bathroom; the other was hidden under a bed. A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of Class A drugs, after a wrap of what is believed to be heroin was also found. Today’s warrant is the latest in the force’s crackdown on gun crime. Detective Sergeant Leight…

Latest news Man who died in Coventry collision named 19/05/2016 The family of a man who died in a Coventry collision have paid tribute to their loved one. Leonard Steptoe, 73, was struck by a car on Sewall Highway near to Sullivan Road at around 1.30pm on Thursday 28 April. He was taken to hospital but sadly died. His family have paid a touching tribute to Leonard: “A much loved dad, granddad, great-granddad and brother, also a friend to many, taken from us so tragically, is going to be missed greatly. “We would like to express our many thanks for all the kind messages and support we have received.” Officers investigating the circumstances into the collision …

Latest news Euro fraud and burglary arrests as #OpTrivium nets overseas crooks 19/05/2016 More than 100 vehicles have been seized in the West Midlands and 39 people arrested in the first few days of a concerted offensive against overseas criminals. Operation Trivium sees West Midlands Police working with continental cops and UK partner agencies from a Birmingham HQ to target Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) operating or taking shelter on these shores. The arrests include a Polish man (44) picked up at an address in Maple Grove, Lozells, on Tuesday and a 62-year-old Czech man stopped yesterday (May 18) in a vehicle on the M5. They are wanted to face fraud and burg…

Latest news Arrests made following burglaries across east Birmingham 19/05/2016 Police investigating a spate of burglaries across east Birmingham over the last few months have today (19 May) made a number of arrests which include three members of the same family. Officers carried out a series of swoops at properties in Dalewood Croft, Chestnuts Avenue and Aldershaw Road in Sheldon, as well as Arthur Street in Small Heath, at around 6am. Stolen goods and drugs were recovered during the raids which saw suspects arrested for offences including burglary, assisting an offender and conspiracy to commit burglary. It follows around 10 burglaries, mostly in the Sheldon ar…

Latest news Robbers jailed for string of shop raids – #OpBlueSteel strikes again at heart of Coventry crime gangs 19/05/2016 Three robbers who held up 13 shops over five months armed with swords, hammers and crowbars have been jailed for a total of more than 40 years following a West Midlands Police investigation. Coventry gang members Anthony Collier, Darren Irwin and Thomas Rawbone (pic left-right) struck at convenience stores across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire making off with tens of thousands of pounds in cash and cigarettes. Their crime spree began on the night of 22 December 2014 when two masked men – one brandishing a crowbar – raided One Stop in Cae…

Latest news Police investigate after body of man found in Sandwell 19/05/2016 Police are investigating after the body of a man was discovered at a flat in Thompson Road, Warley yesterday (Wednesday 18 May). Officers were called to the address around 12.40pm and discovered the body of the 32-year-old man, who is not being named at this stage. The flat remains sealed off today while forensic examinations continue to take place. A post mortem examination will take place later today to establish the cause of death. Detective Chief Inspector Martin Slevin, from Force CID, said: “Enquiries are continuing into the death and I would appeal for anyone in the area who has…

Latest news Prison for man who killed his long-term partner 18/05/2016 A man who killed his long-term partner and then attempted to take his own life, has today (Wednesday 18 May), been given 15 years in prison. Desmond Thomas, aged 51, from Hospital Street, Newton was handed the sentence after pleading guilty to the murder of Laura Holden. Laura, aged 35, a cleaner, was killed at her home in Monmouth Road, Bartley Green on 3 August. Thomas attacked Laura during an argument while their young son was downstairs. She was found shortly after drowned in the bath by her sister and 17-year-old daughter. The court heard how Laura, who had an on/off relationship over 19…

Latest news Appeal for missing Dudley man missing for three weeks 18/05/2016 We are searching for a Dudley man who has been missing for nearly three weeks. Dumitru Negoita, also known as 'Alex' was last seen by work colleagues in Kidderminster just after 4pm near to the train station on Friday 29 April. He has been living in Cradley Heath and is known to have received treatment at Russells Hall Hospital after an ambulance was called to Dixie Chicken in Dudley later that evening. He was discharged on the morning of Saturday 30 April and hasn’t been seen or heard from since. This is completely out of character and we are now very concerned for Mr Negoita’s welfare…