Erdington Bus Onboard Robberies
A man has now been charged with several offences.

Court Lane Paedophile Jailed
Another one I'm afraid - bear in mind though these crimes were in the 1970's and the offender is now locked up - so no immediate danger in the area now. From a Birmingham Mail report;

"A former officer in the Sutton Coldfield Boys Brigade who serially sexually abused a boy ..... has been jailed for 3 years. Martyn Park, aged 57, of Court Lane, Erdington ........ had previously admitted 17 charges of indecent assault and six of indecency with a child.

Detective Inspector Shaun Edwards from Sutton Coldfield CID said it might act as a `trigger' for anyone to come forward who might have been the victim of similar offences by Park - who had held a senior position at the Sutton Sea Scouts.

Robert Price, prosecuting ............  said the abuse went on for five years between 1973 and 1978."

From Erdington Tories;

`We reported it to the Parks department and were told there was not enough budget for it's repair. Cllr Gareth Compton said;

"This was clearly unacceptable and we have not let the matter drop, we are demanding it is fixed at the start of the new financial year and have reported the graffiti for removal."'

Cable Box Busted Open - Witton Lodge Road - Fixed
By the to-city 7 and 65 bus stop. Fixed.

During the week-long trial, there had been a substantial police presence following disturbances at previous court hearings.

David Williams QC, prosecuting, said there had been a "background" between the two men, and that Mr Wellard, aged 34, was known to have made disparaging remarks about the defendant because of his supposed interest in young girls.

This was based on the fact that O’Keefe had been accused of sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, although he was later acquitted following a trial.

On August 2 last year, O’Keefe and Mr Wellard had gone to a party being held in Faulkners Farm Drive, Wyrley Birch.

At one point during the evening, after O’Keefe had suggested going to another party, Mr Wellard had called the defendant a paedophile and a nonce.

O’Keefe went home, brooded about what had happened, and returned to the party about 10 minutes later, rushing up to the victim and stabbing him twice in the neck.

Mr Williams said O’Keefe was later caught on CCTV in Erdington High Street going to an off-licence serving hatch and re-enacting what he had done.'

Police Website - Keep It Safe
Police are warning young people about showing off Christmas presents in public;

http://www.keepitsafe.biz/

Man Found In Erdington With Fatal Stab Wounds
More havoc in Gravelly Hill. From http://www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk/

`Part of an Erdington street remained cordoned off on Christmas Eve following the discovery of a man with fatal head wounds. A 47-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Around 4.30pm on December 23, a 59-year-old man - believed to have been assaulted - was found lying in Prince William Close. He was taken to hospital where he later died. A post-mortem was due to be carried out on Christmas Eve.

A police cordon was set up to allow forensic investigations. Anyone with information is asked to phone officers at Queen's Road Police Station on 0845 113 5000.'

Top Croft Fence Vandalised
The new wooden one enclosing the Large Island, someone has knocked large holes in it.

Man Charged Over Erdington Stabbing - Landsdowne Road
Not that far from us, just off Gravelly Hill.

From http://www.birminghammail.net/

`A MAN was due to appear in court today charged with attempted murder after a father-of-two was stabbed outside his Birmingham home.

The victim, named locally as Lee Lavintine, remained critically ill in hospital after being attacked in Landsdowne Road, Erdington.

Neighbours today described Mr Lavintine, aged 39, as a "very caring, helpful man" and added that he doted on his children.

He was taken to Good Hope Hospital, Sutton Coldfield, after being stabbed in the neck and back at 5pm on Friday.

Mr Lavintine’s neighbour Alan Bean was in the victim’s third-floor flat shortly before he was stabbed and said he was hurt after a fight.

Mr Bean said: "I went in to stop a fight between Lee and another man."

He said Mr Lavintine then appeared at the door holding his hand to his neck, claiming he had been stabbed.

"I hadn’t heard any shouting or screams but when I came outside there was blood everywhere," Mr Bean said.

Police cordoned off the road on Friday evening and erected a tent outside Mr Lavintine’s property.

Another neighbour Lily Pyke, aged 66, said she knew Mr Lavintine well.

She said: "He could be a very caring, helpful man who would be the first person on your doorstep if you needed anything."

She said he was a former van driver who doted on his children.

"I was shocked when I heard he’d been stabbed," Ms Pyke said. "It was absolutely chaotic on the road on Friday with police stopping people going up and down."

Taxi driver Tahir Ahmed, who has lived in Lansdowne Road for 30 years, said the area was normally quite peaceful.

West Midlands Police would not formally name the victim but said a man, also aged 39, was arrested on Saturday night in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information should call West Midlands Police on 0845 113 5000.'

Man Fighting For Life After Huge Birmingham City Brawl (Stockland Green) - Police Appeal For Information
From the Birmingham Mail website at http://www.birminghammail.net/

`A man was fighting for life today after being beaten up during a huge brawl in a Birmingham street. Up to 50 people were involved in the fight which spilled into the road after starting in the Hare & Hound pub, Marsh Hill, in Stockland Green.

Motorists driving past were forced to stop as the men clashed on the busy dual carriageway. The victim, said to be in his 40s, was found on the ground with head injuries, police said.

It is thought that he may have been chased across the road before being attacked on a pavement outside a row of residential homes shortly before midnight on Saturday (22/11/2008).

He has undergone surgery to remove a blood clot and today remained critically ill in hospital.

Police are treating the attack as attempted murder.

Acting Det Chief Insp Nick Walton, from Queen’s Road CID, said:

"This was a very serious incident and a man is still critically ill in hospital. The incident started inside the pub and spilled out into the road. Motorists driving through the area had to stop as the fighting continued across the street. We would like to speak with those motorists who were passing at the time of the original disorder and saw what happened. I would appeal to them to come forward."

He added:

"There were about 40 to 50 people involved and there were pockets of fighting going on. Witnesses said the victim had been chased across the road."

The fight, broke out at the pub which had been hosting a private party.

A blue tent erected on the pavement on the opposite side of the road to the pub marked the spot where the man was found.

The Hare & Hound was temporarily closed while detectives and forensics experts examined the scene but it has since been allowed to re-open.

Detectives were also looking to examine footage from closed circuit security cameras in the area in the hope of identifying those behind the trouble. No arrests have been made.'

Tyre Tracks In The Park
A vehicle has been clearly been racing round the Park again. Entered and left via the car-park in the far corner where two of the wooden posts have been uprooted.

We seem to be simply painting the Forth Bridge with those wooden perimeter posts which are designed to keep vehicles out - as quickly damaged again to let vehicles in as repaired. Finding those actually racing round the Park might be a better idea.

Halloween Havoc
Reports are already coming in of Trick or Treat havoc by kids on Goosemoor Lane - e.g. a car wing mirror ripped off, frontt garden fences damaged, etc.

(Residents may want to check outside just in case).

I'm no spoilsport of course and I don't yet support an outright ban, but we can't have this each year.

Mini Wrecking Spree - The Woodyard
We often get drunken people attacking front gardens etc on weekend nights, this time the front of The Woodyard (Travis Perkins) got it. From the pavement, lots of it's signs were damaged or ripped down and strewn about. Friday 10/10/2008 - Saturday 11/10/2008.

Park Graffiti - On The Court Lane Substation Wall
This graffiti has been reported for removal.

Kids Hanging Around The Road Causing Problems
Goosemoor Lane is of course more than 1/2 mile long - so lots of scope to shift one problem just to another part of it - so not much use in that.

So we've got problems at night at the Top Croft junction and other places. The alley by the Rose And Crown was cut back recently (see News Page) and the entrance into the car-park of the new apartments from there is now padlocked, still stuff being thrown into the compound from that alley though.

Meanwhile we had kids wandering into the alley between 65 and 69 causing problems, it's now been gated, however they are now simply causing problems in OTHER alleys (like the one more or less opposite it). That one can't easily be gated - though it might be at some point.

Further, the land behind the Woodyard is ANOTHER gathering places, plans now afoot to trim it's areas

Basically though, there are just TOO many gathering places and they CAN'T all be gated and shrubbery trimmed back (street corners at all the junctions of the side roads? How can THEY be gated?)

If the people causing problems here are doing so simply because they've been shifted here by police crackdowns in other parts of Erdington, then police have NOT solved the overall problem - and that needs to be made clear to them.

Police need to identify who is causing the problems for a start off - then takes things from there.

I'll keep adding stuff to the Games/Fun Page, and I suggest those in contact with young people in the area make them aware of it too.

Are there official tie-ups between local leisure centres and sports clubs etc with local schools? Or do schools just let young people find out about local sports facilities etc by themselves? And if they do, is THAT a satisfactory situation?

We could rant on about National Service etc or expect Gordon Brown to give over 15 proverbial minutes to some gimmick, courtesy of the fawning Andy Marr - but that wouldn't get us very far.

Top Croft Paedophile Jailed
From the Birmingham Mail at http://www.birminghammail.net/

"A PERVERT who sexually abused a young boy over a two-year spell was today starting a 14-year jail sentence.

John Reeves, aged 59, of Topcroft Road, Erdington, molested and raped the vulnerable young boy, now aged 24, during karate lessons which the victim’s parents had asked him to take him to to bolster the youngster’s self-esteem.

John Attwood, prosecuting, said Reeves became violent towards the 12-year-old victim when the abuse started, after he told Reeves he was not gay. The victim’s family were so trusting of Reeves that they allowed their son to stay overnight at his home where many of the sex acts took place, Mr Attwood said. Reeves was arrested in January 2007 after the victim plucked up the courage to approach the police.

At Birmingham Crown Court Reeves was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and four of rape.

He was placed on the sex offender’s register for life and is subject to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order."

Car Broken Into - Jarvis Road
From a resident;

"I had my car broke into between 7 Sept 7pm and 8 Sept 11am. Side passenger window smashed, glove compartment contents strewn across car along with glass. Car parked in parking spaces alongside Arundel House, Jarvis Road. Police came but nothing they could do, although very courteous.

Presume that Sat Nav suction marks on windscreen indicated to them that I had Sat Nav and they looked in glove compartment for it. Paid £60 excess on Insurance, not able to afford but what can you do?

Thought this area was getting better. I have got rid of Sat Nav now, never used it anyway much."

West Midlands Police Sat Nav Advice Page;

www.west-midlands.police.uk/safermotors/download/Pdf/sat-nav-protect-advice06.pdf

Two Alarms To Note
We had burglar alarms going off on the odd side at the junction with Kirkwood Avenue around 8pm, Friday 22/8/2008. Then another in roughly the same area at around 3am Sunday morning 24/8/2008. See if we get more about these.

have vital information.”

West Midlands Police YouTube Site
West Midlands Police shorts films on crime prevention etc - www.youtube.com/westmidlandspolice

Erdington MP Joins Police On Front Line
From the Sutton Observer website at http://www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk/

`Erdington MP Sion Simon will be on the front line of policing over the next few weeks ahead of a government review into law and order.

This week he has been talking to police officers in Erdington about their views on law enforcement, and is due to spend time with the community watch in Perry Barr next week. Mr Simon, who is chair of the government's law and order manifesto group, has been asked to draw up a crime and order review, which is due to be published later this year, and information from these fact-finding sessions will form part of the draft.

"I was very much looking forward to getting the views of the people on the front line of law enforcement, it is a very difficult job and I wanted to know what they thought we should be doing centrally to make it easier," said Mr Simon.

"Some of the issues discussed included the courts system, the important role of Police Community Support Officers, how to deal with youth offenders and the huge impact alcohol and drug related crime has on our communities. We know that great work has been done in Erdington by the police and local residents which has seen a consistent fall in levels of crime over recent years. However, we must also face up to the fact that much more still needs to be done, especially to reassure the public."

Sion has also met with neighbourhood watch schemes and various other organisations over recent weeks to discuss the future of law and order.'

Youth Pod Set On Fire - Short Heath Park
It'll probably survive since made of metal, but a motor-bike of some kind full of fuel was set on fire underneath it on Monday 16/6/2008 around 2pm. Police and Fire Service attended.

Court Lane Allotments Havoc - Yet More
The area bounded by the Park, Court Lane, Jarvis Road and the Top Croft Estate. They are having major problems. This from the Sutton Observer (which got the name wrong) at http://www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk/

`It was supposed to be a community project that would bring people together. But this week the mindless acts of vandals have halted that dream. Allotment holders on Crown Lane (actually Court Lane - Webmaster) in Erdington had spent hundreds of pounds transforming a scrubby bit of wasteland into a wildlife and educational garden that the public could enjoy.

Complete with a bird garden, picnic area and plots for local school children to grow their own vegetables, and an old portable cabin as an education centre, the project was all set to be launched this week.

But on Tuesday night (June 10) vandals put a stop to the allotment holders' plans.

"They're nothing but mean, low-life scum," said Julie Trahearn, allotment holder and project member, who was faced with ringing the schools to break the bad news to disappointed children.

"How can they just attack all the work we've done? They've got wire cutters and taken out the whole window to gain access to the cabin," she said.

"But because there's nothing to steal in there they've just vandalised the lot. They've set a fire extinguisher off, smashed up the security cameras and made a complete mess.

"We haven't been inside the cabin yet because the police are going to take prints, so we can't see the full extent of the damage, but it looks pretty bad. It's got to the stage where we're thinking, 'is it worth it'?

But we'll carry on because we don't want to let anyone beat us."

Another project member, Shirley Hughes, said she was "gutted" by the incident.

"We've worked hard to make something out of nothing - it was a complete eyesore before," she said.

"It makes you wonder if someone out there doesn't want us here. It's done with such vengeance and bitterness. I don't know what sort of people they are."

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Erdington police on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'

More on this from an actual Allotment holder;

"This time it was really bad. The area in question is for the local school children to come along and grow things. The portacabin is the target at the moment. 2 weeks ago it was broken into and everything was stolen, on Monday night this week they tried and failed to get in but caused loads of damage which we repaired, then on Tuesday night they came back armed with wire cutters and got in by cutting the guards off the windows, and because there was nothing to steal they trashed the place.

`The vandals were in again last Friday night (13/6/2008) and set on fire 2 scarecrows, also they decided to have a "party" in one of the sheds making a mess but luckily for us they left some empty beer cans which s.o.c.o have finger-printed so with any luck they might find out who it was.'

Police Plea Over Erdington High Street Church Arson Attack
From Birmingham Mail at http://www.birminghammail.net/

`THE church arsonist who destroyed the "jewel in the heart of Erdington" could escape scot-free unless the public come forward with information, police warned today. Detectives investigating the blaze which destroyed the historic St Barnabas Church, last October, have now exhausted all possible leads.

But officers are convinced someone in the community knows the identity of who started the blaze which tore through the 18th century listed building. Today Det Con Laura Burrows, from Queens Road CID, appealed directly for anyone with information to come forward.

"The investigation is at a point where we are relying on another piece of information from the public, no matter how small, to progress the investigation," she said.

"Without that vital information we may not be able to find who is responsible."

The blaze was discovered at about 6am on October 4. The building was engulfed in an inferno which gave off smoke and flames that could be seen on the city's skyline for miles around.

All that remains of the church, famous for its stained glass windows, is the clock tower and the partial remains of some of the walls. A forensic examination of the scene indicated that the fire was started near the church's front door, off Erdington High Street.

The blaze caused so much damage that it was not possible to find any evidence of whether an accelerant was used. Church leaders have pledged the building will rise from the ashes.

Police have investigated a number of leads including teenagers playing with fireworks, down and outs hanging around and even if someone had a grudge.

Det Con Burrows said: "We haven't been able to determine a motive for the fire."

* Detectives at Queens Road CID can be contacted on 0845 113 5000 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.'

Latest From West Midlands Police on www.west-midlands.police.uk/suttoncoldfield/erdington.shtml

Email: [email protected] "

CCTV - Station Road
CCTV has been put up on Station Road, on the lamp-post opposite the Johnson Road junction and on the lamp-post nearest the bridge on the same side of that bridge.

Car Vandalised/Theft - Goosemoor Lane
A car parked secure overnight Wednesday 9th - Thursday 10th of April 2008 at the Kirkwood Avenue junction of Goosemoor Lane on the even-side had it's rear windscreen wiper ripped off. Was not found nearby etc so possibly a theft.

Mini Wrecking Spree - Gravelly Lane - Fri 11/4/2008
Two Chavs were running down Gravelly Lane around 10pm (from the Chester Road end) knocking down every wooden For Sale sign in front-gardens etc.

Short Heath Park Perimeter Stumps - Were Uprooted Again - Fixed<
From Erdington Conservatives;

"In the past, cars have been dumped in the park and burnt out, this is why the stumps were put in place in the first place. It is also why we are quick to ensure they were mended ........... If residents spot one out, please do not hesitate to contact us so we can get it sorted quickly."

`Erdington MP Sion Simon is asking the public to share ideas on tackling crime. Mr Simon, chair of the Labour Party Manifesto Group on Law and Order, intends to look at ways in which communities and police can work together.

He said:

"Nobody knows more about the needs of an area than the people who live there. This review puts power back in the hands of the people by asking how police and other organisations can work with communities to cut crime, how best to police local neighbourhoods and how to ensure the justice system has the public's full support by being more open and responsive."

Anyone wishing to add their views is asked to visit www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/crime or write to Freepost, PO Box 1748, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 4XR.'

Child Abduction - Sutton New Road - Erdington - E-Fit Of Offender - Click Here
An extremely serious incident has occurred at the junction of Station Road and Sutton New Road. This from West Midlands Police;

"POLICE APPEAL TO TRACE VEHICLE USED IN ABDUCTION - ERDINGTON - 3 March 2008.

Police are appealing for help in tracing a vehicle which has been involved in an abduction and attempt abduction of children.

Police are looking at links between two incidents which have occurred today and yesterday involving a dark green saloon 5 door vehicle.

The first incident took place at 11am on Sunday (March 2) in Fillimore Road, Alum Rock. A nine year old girl was approached by a dark green saloon vehicle as she walked along the road. The male driver, described as being white in his 30s and wearing glasses tried to entice her into his vehicle, but she ran off.

The second incident took place at around 8.15 this morning (Monday 3 March) in Sutton New Road at the junctions with Edward Road and Station Road in Erdington.

A 12 year-old girl was walking along the road, when a dark green saloon vehicle pulled up alongside her, the male driver, described as being white in his 30s and wearing glasses, opened the passenger door and pulled her into the vehicle and drove away. The girl escaped unharmed a short time later in the Nechells area.

Police are investigating both incidents and are appealing from anyone in the Alum Rock and Erdington areas who may have seen this vehicle acting suspiciously to contact them at Queens Road CID on 0845 113 5000.

As you can imagine with this serious (but rare) incident, it has attracted national media attention. The media will carry more on this ongoing incident.

A Similar Incident Reported Near Goosemoor Lane - 26/2/2008
Birmingham Mail reporting this;

`A YOUNG mum told today how a man tried to snatch her daughter as she played in the back garden of her Birmingham home.

Pennymarie Haddock said she screamed when she saw the suspected pervert with his hand on the arm of her three-year-old daughter, Rhiannon.

She fears it could be the same man who grabbed a 12-year-old girl, near Highclare School, on Monday.

The schoolgirl was bundled into a car and taken on a 25-minute terror ride by the man, before escaping unharmed at the Star City entertainment complex, in Nechells.

Pennymarie, who lives off Goosemoor Lane, Erdington, said the incident involving her daughter occurred a week last Tuesday. "It all happened in seconds," said the 25-year-old, who has two other children.

"Rhiannon was playing in the garden and I was watching her from the living room while doing the ironing. I popped into the kitchen to get some water and when I came back he was there.

"It was absolutely terrifying, the man was leaning into the garden and had his hand on my daughter's arm. I just screamed.

"He ran off. But I'm sure he intended to take her. It's horrible to think what might have happened."

The man was white and in his mid to late 20s.

No-one from West Midlands Police was immediately available for comment on the incident.

Pennymarie's home is a short walk from Sutton New Road where the 12-year-old girl was snatched by the man at 8.15am on Monday. Police were today continuing to hunt the 'silent abductor' who took the schoolgirl but never spoke to her during her ordeal. They said they had an "encouraging" response from the public.

The man is described as white, in his mid 30s and skinny with brown, short hair. He was wearing a white V-neck T-shirt, dark trousers and black rectangular glasses and driving a dark green saloon car.

They said they had received numerous calls from the public offering help and were today sifting through the information.

Officers were also continuing a trawl of footage from CCTV security cameras in the hope one may have recorded the car or registration plate of the offender.

Det Insp Nick Walton, from Queens Road CID, said: "We've had numerous calls and not just Birmingham. It was a really encouraging response.

"We are prioritising that information and there are a number of positive leads. There are a number of people we are looking to eliminate.

"We believe this was an isolated incident.

"We are continuing to encourage people to come forward. We hope someone will put the description together with the car and come forward with a name."'

Crime Above Is For 2008