Crime in Erdington cost the taxpayer an estimated £7 million last year, according to West Midlands Police. As the force tackles issues like open drug-taking and serious violence, we joined officers on a day of action in the crime-hit neighbourhood.
‘We need more police out and about’ is often the most simple request we hear from Birmingham residents, often on doorsteps or at crime scenes. The issue is complex and likely not helped by years of cuts, stretched prisons and court delays, but many Erdington residents we spoke to said ‘more Bobbies on the beat’ would make a huge difference to crime levels and public confidence.
Fresh action for the area from the force comes in the form of Operation Fearless, a West Midlands Police operation backed by £1 million of ring-fenced cash from the proceeds of crime. It aims to tackle crime in Erdington before moving to other troubled Birmingham neighbourhoods later this year.
READ MORE:Birmingham high street once labelled ‘no-go zone’ to get 20 new police officers in huge operation
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“We know this area has suffered issues in regard to thefts, anti-social behaviour and drug taking so we’re working with a wide-range of partners to tackle some of the issues that really matter to the community,” Det Supt Jim Munro told us.
The officer has been assigned to head up Operation Fearless, and said it would see 20 police officers deployed on daily patrols. You can watch our full interview with Mr Munro in the video at the top of this story, or read more here.
Police operation Fearless around Erdington and the high street. Pictured: Det Supt Jim Munro
(Image: Birmingham Live)
We started our day outside Erdington railway station as officers set up a knife arch. Once a train landed around half-a-dozen passengers got off and filed through the inconspicuous arch with no issues.
As we were about to move on, a number of squad cars flew past us as it emerged a nearby bridge had been hit by a lorry, the second strike that morning. As our photographer rushed out to capture the scene, the patrol continued on to Erdington’s High Street which was bustling in the early afternoon.
Shoppers filed in and out of Greggs and the many charity shops, while security guards stood outside stores like the Co-op, which has suffered badly from shoplifting in recent months. Tam Langari owns the Bag Shop in Wilton Market, just off the high street. “We have shoplifters and too many crimes,” Tam told us.
Police operation Fearless around Erdington and the high street. Pictured: Local resident Dennis Wheelan said “seeing more police is good”
(Image: Birmingham Live)
“There are no customers, people are scared to shop here.” We often see patrols stepped up in reaction to serious crimes in Birmingham, but every resident and businesses we met spoke of the need for more proactive patrols.
Dennis Wheelan, an Erdington resident of 30 years, said: “We want more police on the streets. My daughter won’t come up here, they are scared to come. My grandkids won’t come here.” But he added: “Seeing more police out is good.”
West Midlands Police said that on the day we went on patrol with them, January 7, the following action took place:
• One man wanted on suspicion of burglary in the West Mercia area arrested in an operation targeting criminals using the bus network to travel into Erdington• One man arrested for failing to appear at court• Two vehicles seized – one because it was being used in crime, and another because it was being driven without insurance• Six men arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud over the seizure of £500,000 of counterfeit and illicit goods, including cigarettes, vapes, and prescription medication, in a joint operation with trading standards.
Police operation Fearless around Erdington and the high street. Pictured: Knife arch at Erdington rail station
(Image: Birmingham Live)
We finished by watching the police dog unit in action, as they supported patrol teams and interacted with members of the public. Det Insp Tom Lyons patrols Erdington regularly and said: “The response from the public has been incredible, just from us being out and on the high street.”
On open drug use that fuels shoplifting in the area, he added: “We are using stop-and-search to stop drugs and crime. We had a foot-chase with a shoplifter on Thursday and a member of the public helped us detain him. It just shows everyone is on board.”
Time will tell for how sustainable and successful Operation Fearless will be but with ring-fenced money, extra officers and a push on presence in the streets – residents have been left hopeful at the prospect of change.