Walsall Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association

Can anyone help please?

We are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery in St Pauls Street, Walsall.

At around 7pm yesterday, a group of teenagers were approached by another group attempted to steal their belongings at a bus stop in St Pauls Street.

Two boys aged 14 were arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and remain in police custody

If you witnessed this incident or think you can help with any information, you can contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 20/546428/24

Can anyone help?

| Can you tell us who these three people are?

We're investigating a burglary in New Mills Street, Walsall, on Monday, 22 April, between 1.30am and 11am.

Cash and car keys were stolen along with a white Ford Ka which was later found abandoned in Walsall town centre.

If you recognise any of these three faces contact us via Live Chat or call 101, quoting reference 20/413918/24.

Want to give us information but not say who you are? Speak anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A County Line broken up.

An eye opening read for your information.

| More than 150 guns have been taken off the streets of the West Midlands, and dozens of serious and organised criminals put behind bars in the first year of our Major Crime Unit.

And shootings have also fallen across the region, as we keep up the pressure on gangs who cause misery to communities.

Last year, we recovered 152 guns across the West Midlands. That was an increase from 121 the previous year.

Last year, there were 92 fi****ms discharges, compared to 126 the previous year and 161 the year before that.

Our efforts to tackle serious and organised crime in the West Midlands are united under the banner of Operation Target. Find out more about how we’re tackling those who cause the most harm to the West Midlands https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/operation-target

Split into proactive and reactive teams, our Major Crime Unit was brought into force as part of a major reorganisation of West Midlands Police last year.

Proactive teams gather and develop intelligence to arrest those involved and serious crime and build cases which see them put behind bars for years.

Major successes include:
• Teenager jailed for five years after handgun found in bedroom | News | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)
• Gunman facing jail after shotgun and drugs found in car on Great Barr | News | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)
• Violent armed robbery gang jailed for combined total of more than 54 years | News | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)

Reactive teams are ready to act whenever there’s a major incident requiring specialist staff and detectives to work through vast quantities of CCTV, mobile phone data and forensic evidence.

One of the six Reactive teams alone has charged more than 50 people in the last year, including 21 for attempted murder.

Dangerous criminals they’ve brought to justice include:
• Gunman convicted after shots fired in Birmingham city centre | News | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)
• Three jailed for 23 years each for Wolverhampton shooting which left children injured | News | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)
• Gunman jailed for 32 years over Birmingham attempted murder | News | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)

Our Major Crime Proactive Team also runs manhunts, which are launched when a dangerous suspect need arresting urgently.

It sees officers form a 24/7 specialist unit, using a range of overt and covert tactics to bring the suspect in as quickly and safely as possible.

In the last year, they’ve carried out 71 manhunts. All of the suspects were found, and 44 of them were wanted for murder.

Their work has already seen the arrest of 73 predatory sexual offenders, caught as a result of undercover work online by officers.

And more than £900,000 has been recovered through the courts, and through seizures. Half of that money will be returned to West Midlands Police to invest in making communities safer.

Det Supt Scott Griffiths, who oversees the teams, said: “We’ve had a really successful year of targeting serious and organised crime in the West Midlands.

“We’ve uncovered criminal gangs through our proactive work to seek out those who use violence and intimidation, and when we’ve had major incidents that have resulted in people being seriously injured n the streets of the West Midlands, we’ve acted swiftly and decisively to investigate and put those responsible behind bars for years to come.

“The new way of working which came into place at the start of last year means we’ve got dedicated resources to quickly review CCTV, mobile phone and forensic evidence.

“But we’re also working really closely with local policing areas to understand the community impact and gather information and intelligence.”

If you’ve got information on those involved in serious and organised crime in the West Midlands, we’re ready to listen and to act.

Get in touch via 101, or via Live Chat on our website.

You can also get in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Can anyone help please?

| Can you help?

We are appealing to the public for information following a serious road traffic collision in .

At around 12.30am this morning, two cars were involved in the collision in Blue Lane West, Walsall - where a man was taken to hospital after sustaining injuries thought to be life threatening.

A woman was also taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life threatening.

The road remains closed as we investigate the details.

Anyone with information or any dash cam footage is asked to contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101, quoting log 89 of 11 April.

For your information

OpRuby | We have arrested a teenage boy after a woman was assaulted as an offender tried to make off with her car keys in .

The 17-year-old was arrested yesterday (Wed) on suspicion of assault with intent to commit robbery and remains in custody while we carry out our enquiries.

The woman sustained injuries to her knees after being pushed over on Wed 20 March in Albert Clarke Drive.

Anyone with any information is being urged to contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting crime reference number 20/337719/24. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Reducing robbery offences in one of our force priorities and we are running Operation Ruby to tackle those committing crime, while working to spread crime prevention messaging across the region so people can take all reasonable steps possible to help keep themselves and their belongings safe.

Read more by going to https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/campaigns/opruby

Can anyone help please?

| We are investigating after shots were fired at a property in Walsall.

Officers were called to Truda Street shortly before 3am today (Wed) following reports a car pulled up and fired shots at a property. Thankfully, no-one was hurt in the incident.

We are in the early stages of our investigation and would urge anyone with any information to contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101, quoting log number 308 of 20 March.
Alternatively,call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

We're particularly keen to hear from anyone who was passing through the area - particularly Truda Street, Rosamond Street, New Mills Street and Milton Street - between 2:30-3:15am and has dash cam footage.

We know how concerning this is for the community and we're doing all we can to find out who was involved and why. We will have extra officers in the area today to offer reassurance.

Have you ever checked this out?

We are working hard to keep communities across safe, but there are some simple steps you can take that will help protect your home against opportunist burglars.

Make your house much less tempting to would-be burglars by making it look occupied, consider setting a timer switch to make lights come on as it gets dark 💡

Close curtains and blinds, so your valuables can’t be seen from outside 👀

All ground floor windows and those which open onto accessible areas such as balconies or roofs should be fitted with window locks, unless designated as a means of escape

Visit our virtual reality house to get further crime prevention advice and home security tips👉https://ow.ly/cxY450QU4r7

For your information

National March Newsletter to read.

📢 March's member newsletter is here! Highlights include...

🏡 Home security guidance from ERA Home Security
🚨 The Rt Hon's Chris Philp MP's reflections on the Gov's ASB Action Plan
👀The Children's Society's advice on spotting child exploitation and what you can do to help

👉 Read March's Our News here: https://bit.ly/433MqRx

Can anyone help please?

| We are appealing for information after a man was deliberately struck by a car in and would urge the victim of the incident to come forward.

Officers were called to Hospital Street, near its junction with Gladstone Street, shortly before 4.40pm today (Thurs) after a man was struck by a car.

Despite extensive enquiries, including studying CCTV, we have been unable to identify the victim and we are concerned for his welfare.

We would urge him to please get in touch.

A vehicle drove away following the collision but was later stopped by officers in Smethwick.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a Section 18 wounding and remains in custody as we continue our enquiries.

People with information should contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting log number 3282-150224.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

For your information

| We arrested a boy on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon after we were called to reports of disorder in

Officers from St Matthew’s team, based in the town centre, were called to Wolverhampton Street shortly before 4pm on Monday (February 12).

Officers carried out stop and searches and recovered a baseball bat. A 15-year-old boy was taken into custody on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

He has been released on bail with strict conditions while we carry out further enquiries.

Inspector Pete Poolton, neighbourhood policing manager at Walsall LPA, said: “We have taken another dangerous weapon off the streets of Walsall.

“Under 25 serious youth violence is a priority in Walsall and we will continue to target those people who come into the town with a weapon with the intention of violence.”

To view Walsall Local Policing Area priorities go to https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-local-police/walsall-lpa

For your attention folks - Don’t get scammed this Christmas.

🎅 We're supporting the Action Fraud campaign to highlight a different fraud type daily to help you keep your money safe and out of the pockets of criminals this Christmas so you can enjoy a .

Some of the most common scams reported to Action Fraud involve fraudsters connecting remotely to a victim’s computer.

⚠️Never allow remote access to your computer following an unsolicited call, text message or browser pop-up.

Remote access tool scams will often begin with a browser pop-up saying that your computer is infected with a virus, or with a call from someone claiming to be from your bank saying that they need to connect to your computer in order to cancel a fraudulent transaction on your account.

Find out how to protect yourself from remote access tool scams: https://ow.ly/7Z7K50QhjM3

For your information

📢 December's Our News is here, packed full of updates and information including...

🎅 SimpliSafe UK's tips to protect your home this Christmas!
🛍️ How you can support Neighbourhood Watch while you shop (for free!) with easyfundraising.org.uk.
💻 Avast Software's 5 Golden Tips to shop online safely.

Read all this and more here: https://bit.ly/3GsvfhR

For your information!

This week is – a national road safety campaign cracking down on uninsured drivers.

Every 20 minutes, someone is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver… another life changed forever.

We’re cracking down on these dangerous motorists to make our roads safer. Our officers are carrying out proactive operations to stop vehicles and check that they are being driven with the correct insurance policies.

We will also be looking out for 'fatal four' offences being committed on the roads, including speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and using a mobile phone while driving.

Find out more about our work tackling uninsured drivers ➡️ https://ow.ly/RfEo50Q9zXq

Great result!

| We've recovered a firearm and arrested two people after we searched an address in yesterday.

On Friday (17 Nov) we executed a warrant at an address on Willenhall Street, .

We found a firearm, ammunition and a quantity of drugs.

A 21-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and remain in custody.

Operation Target sees us take a defiant stand against a range of serious and organised crime offences – from drug dealing and burglary to cyber crime and fraud.

Officers use local intelligence, seize goods, carry out warrants and target offenders as part of Op Target’s ongoing crackdown against serious and organised crime.

For your information

| We’ve arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with criminal damage after vehicles including police cars were damaged by missiles.

The boy was arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle. This is after a police car had its window smashed yesterday (Thurs) evening after a missile was thrown at our vehicle on Harden Road. He has been released on bail while our enquiries continue.

A 14-year-old boy was also arrested for failing to comply with a section 35 dispersal order. He has been released with conditions including keeping out of the dispersal area which was put in place for 48 hours and which started at 4pm yesterday (Thurs).

It covers the , and areas of following unacceptable criminal damage this week.

There were numerous reports of damaged vehicles after missiles including bricks and stones were thrown at passing vehicles from inside Ryecroft Cemetery, on Coalpool Lane, Coalpool on Wednesday evening.

Two police cars had windows smashed and bodywork dented. We now have vehicles off the road, impacting our ability to serve our communities.

We also received reports from taxi drivers and members of the public that their vehicles had also been damaged.

Inspector Pete Poolton, Inner Sector Neighbourhood Manager at Walsall LPA, said: "We have arrested two and are set to make more arrests. This behaviour is completely unacceptable and won’t be tolerated. The people involved are causing issues in the local community and we are determined to stop this happening.

"The dispersal order allows us to use extra policing powers enabling us to disperse anyone engaging in anti-social behaviour and causing a public nuisance.

"We also have increased the amount of officers in the area to offer reassurance to people in the community.

"We need to make a plea to parents to please find out where your child is and what they are doing. We need this behaviour to stop.

"We continue to investigate the crimes associated with the issues being caused in the area and will be taking action against anyone involved."

If anyone has any information that could help our investigation then they are urged to call us on 101 quoting log 798 of November 9.

For your information

📢 Our November newsletter is here!

Highlights include...

🎉 Our 2023 winter Community Grant Fund applications are open!
🏡 ERA Home Security shares insights on smart home security systems & what our NW members think.
🚿 WaterSafe have shared their top tips for staying warm and safe this winter.
🔑 Master Locksmiths Association MLA share tips on securing your home during the autumn months.

📰Read Our News here: https://bit.ly/3QxnvzR

For your information

| We've charged a man with more than 20 burglaries after up to £500,000 worth of cars were stolen across the Black Country and Staffordshire.

Rio Halls was arrested in connection with a series of car thefts between last November and September this year.

He has now been charged with 21 car key burglaries, two offences of vehicle theft and four thefts from a motor vehicle across Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Staffordshire.

The 18-year-old from Bloxwich was appearing before Wolverhampton Magistrates Court today (4 November).

Vehicle crime remains a priority for us as we do not underestimate the inconvenience and distress having a car stolen causes.

Working closely with neighbouring forces and partners, we have a range of tactics at our disposal to tackle vehicle crime offenders, particularly those who commit crimes on a large scale.

For your information and interest.

| We arrested three men following great teamwork from a number of our teams after we stopped a suspected stolen car in Darlaston.

We charged Wayne Taundry, aged 35, from Walsall, with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, aggravated vehicle taking and driving whilst disqualified, after a vehicle was stopped on Alexandra Road in Darlaston in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

He appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday (Thurs) for a first hearing.

Two other men, aged 42 and 38, were taken into custody on suspicion of the theft of a motor vehicle and going equipped and have been placed on police bail while we carry out further enquiries.

The arrests were made after great teamwork from a number of our teams including our off road bikes, traffic unit, neighbourhood officers from Bloxwich and Walsall CID.

To find out more about what we’re doing to tackle local issues visit https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-local-police/walsall-lpa/local-updates/walsall-local-update

From Walsall Police
| Do you know this man?
We want to talk to him after a car was stolen from an industrial estate in Owen Road, at around 10.30am on Tuesday, 11 July.

Well worth considering!

📷 CCTV can help deter burglars & the footage can provide valuable evidence for the police.

🏡 However, to fully protect your home, the best advice is to invest in a whole-home security system.

🔐 Remember data & privacy when it comes to filming people and areas outside of your home, e.g. the pavement.

Read more on our website: https://bit.ly/44Z7Uhz

September National newsletter

📰 The September edition of our OUR NEWS newsletter has arrived!

Highlights include...

🏡 ERA Home Security share guidance on securing your home as the darker nights approach
🎉 Hear about the impact our Community Grants had for local Watches this summer

Take a look here: https://bit.ly/3P1qfVu

Can you help?

| Have you seen Rio Halls?

The 18-year-old, with links to and Erdington, is wanted for a breach of his bail conditions and we are keen to trace him.

If you see him ring 999 immediately quoting crime reference number 20/15895/23.

For your information

We’ve currently got 16 crime suspects in our Bloxwich custody block as we deal with offences ranging from robbery, burglaries, assaults and the theft of a motor vehicle.

In our Bloxwich cells we currently have four people who were arrested on suspicion of burglary. This includes a 41-year-old woman who has been arrested on suspicion of burglary at a home in Willenhall. She allegedly stole a handbag from a vulnerable victim.

We also have a 40-year-old woman who has been arrested on suspicion of robbery after a man allegedly had his phone and wallet taken from him in the early hours of this morning in Ablewell Street, Walsall.

A 28-year-old man is also in custody on suspicion of the theft of a motor vehicle after his truck was stopped yesterday (Aug 13) on the Pleck Road while transporting a suspected stolen car.

Other offences crime suspects are currently in custody for include assault, harassment, driving unfit through drugs with intent to supply and criminal damage.

At Walsall LPA we have crime priorities. To view them go to Walsall | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)

National August Newsletter

The August edition of our OUR NEWS newsletter has arrived! Highlights include...

🌟 Celebrating our Crowdfunder success (thanks to amazing supporters!)
🌟 Meet Genie, a new AI-powered scam detecting software

Take a look at this month's newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3s0kRKf

Did you watch it? If not well worth a view.

Tonight (11th July) the incredible work of our pioneering Drone Unit will be seen in unprecedented detail in a major new TV documentary series.

The series will air tonight at 9pm on Channel 4

Full story👉https://ow.ly/P4qz50P5Y9A.

For information

We’re using special powers to keep people in Walsall safe tonight following disorder earlier today.

We were called to Harden Road in Bloxwich at 5.30pm to reports of a collision involving a number of vehicles, and disorder involving a number of men, some of whom were carrying weapons.

One man was stabbed and is currently being treated in hospital for injuries which are not believed to be life threatening or life changing.

Officers remain at the scene this evening to carry out enquiries.

As a result, we’ll be using section 60 powers in the Blakenall, Bloxwich and Mossley areas (see map below) of the borough until 5am tomorrow (Wednesday).

The powers allow us to stop and search people for weapons, without needing to explain why.

Ch Supt Phil Dolby, of Walsall Police, said: “We’re working hard to understand what has happened and why, and are taking swift action to prevent any further disorder.

“We don’t use section 60 powers lightly, but we will use all our powers to ensure the safety of people in the area.”

Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch, quoting log 3737 of 11 July.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Better to be safe than sorry!

The sun is out over Walsall 😎and while we enjoy the warm weather, let's not forget about keeping homes safe.
Criminals will take advantage of open windows and propped open doors, even if it’s the back door.

Keep you and your home safe this summer by following these useful tips:

🔑Make sure doors and windows are closed and locked. Even if you’re just popping out, lock up and secure your home.

🔒Consider installing window locks to prevent intruders from easily opening your windows.

🔊Consider installing a home security system with visible cameras and alarm systems to deter burglars.

👀Keep your valuables out of sight. Close blinds or curtains to prevent prying eyes from scouting your belongings. Shutting the blinds will keep your house cooler.

🔑Give a spare key to a trusted neighbour or invest in a secure key lockbox.

Hosting family or friends in your garden - don’t invite burglars to the party. Keep your side entrance, back door, or garden gate closed/locked.

Tidying the garage or dusting off the bikes for summer adventures? Lock up and keep that garage door closed. It takes seconds for thieves to spot and take expensive tools/bikes/motor vehicles.

For extra security keep porch doors locked, wheelie bins away from low fences or garages, and sheds secure.

For more advice from West Midlands Police visit 27 Station Road: https://ow.ly/6xP450P01Vi

To report crime or anything suspicious call 101 or please visit Residential burglary:https://ow.ly/Lxy450P01Vj

In an emergency always dial 999.