EAST NPU NEWSLETTER – January 2019

Message from Chief Superintendent Kenny Bell

It gives me great pleasure to introduce our newsletter to you. I hope that this is useful to you and illustrates the breadth and depth of our on-going promise to prevent crime, protect you and help those in need. We are fortunate that Neighbourhood policing remains an integral part of how we operate in Police. With over 500 officers and staff dedicated to this in Birmingham we can ensure that every ward has a dedicated team led by a Sergeant. In recent months our focus has been on Burglary. This is a seasonal crime that increases in the winter months, but there is no doubt that thieves are targeting vehicles on the drive. Finally can I thank you for your continued support. We have seen some great work with neighbourhood watch and street watch. We share a common goal in all wanting a safer place to live and work. More and more of you are actively getting involved and I look forward to seeing the difference we can make together.

Kind regards

Kenny Bell Constituency – Operation ORAVA

In response to violent incidents in , NHT obtained 18 search warrants that were executed on 11th December 2018 This was done with collaboration and support from a number of WMP policing teams that included Specialist Firearms , WMP Force Support Officers , Force CID, Hodge Hill Constituency Neighbourhood Policing teams and other policing departments across Birmingham East that totalled to over 120 WMP Officers .

In the early hours of 18th October 2018 x 2 firearm s discharges occurred at two separate locations in Alum Rock within minutes of each other. During the first discharge on Sandbourne Road, an 18 month old baby was injured.

Intelligence suggested that the discharges occurred over disputes between rival drug-lines . These drug-lines being active both within the West midlands a d in neighbouring forces as apart of the “county Lines” drugs supply.

As a result of this intelligence 8 addresses were identified as occupying the individuals whom are affiliated to both working/running for the drug-lines.

On conclusion of the warrant executions further addresses were identified as being connected to other individuals involved in the drugs supply. This led to additional emergency warrants being executed at several other addresses.

The result of the operation seen: 2 Arrests were made for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs 11 bags of herbal cannabis were seized And a number of weapons were also seized

The operation disrupted a network of drug-lines in Alum Rock. The community have given positive feedback following the operation and the investigation is still in going.

If you have any information regarding the above Operation ORAVA please contact your Washwood Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team at [email protected]

Constituency Yardley –

Birmingham East Task Force officers parading from Acocks Green Police Station, have worked tirelessly this year to impact on criminals that, possess and use Firearms, to further their criminal endeavours. Reducing the use of Firearms is one of the West Midlands Polices top priorities especially across Birmingham.

The hard work saw the number of discharges across the West Midlands region (where a gun was actually fired) reduced to 152 in 2018 (a reduction of 35). Ourselves and our colleagues on the other Task Forces across the region helped contribute to the recovery of 139 Viable firearms and removed them from the streets. The most significant reduction in discharges was in Birmingham.

A recent example was the recovery of a viable pistol from an address in (pictured), which was recovered as a result of community intelligence. The Birmingham East Task Force remain committed to reducing the harm caused by armed criminality even further this year. BIRMINGHAM East NPU NEWSLETTER –January 2019

Sutton/ Constituencies Inspector Glynis Tomlinson

Prolific thief turns her life around thanks to PC Toogood. She now volunteers with helping other addicts get back on their feet.

A former drug user and prolific thief has turned her life around with the help of Neighbourhood police officers in Birmingham and now volunteers with West Midlands Police helping other addicts get back on their feet. Lisa Pickering was an ambitious hairdressing apprentice in 1997 but her life went into a tailspin when recreational drug use with friends quickly turned into a crack cocaine and heroin habit.

She spent 20 years in and out of prison as her offending and chaotic lifestyle saw her become one of Birmingham ’s most prolific thieves − but last year she was introduced to PC Stuart Toogood from the Erdington NPT.

PC Toogood’ s persistence saw him secure Lisa a place at a rehab facility in and following an intensive programme, she’s been drug-free for more than seven months and is helping police work with others who’ve reached their lowest ebb.

Sutton/ Erdington Constituencies Inspector Glynis Tomlinson

Throughout December we have continued in our efforts to tackle burglary on Birmingham East, speaking specifically about the Sutton area we have had a number of successes in terms of charging people who we believe were active in that area.

5 key individuals have been charged with Burglary in the month. 4 of those are jointly charged with a conspiracy to commit Burglary across Birmingham including offences in Sutton. A 6th individual, whom we believe was causing harm via burglary has been recalled to prison for a breach of his licence. All 6 of the individuals remain in custody.

Sutton/Erdington Constituencies Inspector Glynis Tomlinson

Sutton Trinity Street Watch - “It was a little damp and cold but the spirits were high for the first @Street Watch patrol around Moor Hall. We were all very grateful for the hot chocolate and mince pies from one of the lovely residents.” Neighbourhood Policing team partners up with Operations

A recent operation in Erdington showcased the fantastic results we see when our teams work together. The proactive operation, organised by Erdington NPU, focused on Erdington High Street which has had a number of issues lately.

NPU staff, the dog unit and the drone team joined up with partners including environmental health and trading standards in a concerted effort to make the High Street a safer place. The drone team worked closely with neighbourhood officers in the weeks leading up and on the day of action giving them an unprecedented view of the street. This allowed officers to gather intelligence on people suspected of being involved in serious crime.

The footage and images of suspects from the drone are now being used by local officers to build up intelligence, which will help identify future targets for arrest. The drugs dogs also searched a number of prolific offenders and further Ops support saw the NPT issue 25 public space protection tickets ordering people to leave the area.

Erdington Sergeant Jenna Thomas said: “This was a really successful operation and the support we received from Ops was a big part of that. It really showed the power of people working together – both the local community working with the police and partners and officers and staff from across different functions working together.

“But it’s important to stress this is not the end of our work to improve Erdington High Street. We’ll continue to work hard to focus on the crime and anti-social behaviour that can really affect the quality of life of people who live and work in the area. We will definitely be working with Ops again, it worked really well.”

On Wednesday (19 December) Erdington NHT and the Organised Crime Group team executed a drugs warrant at an address and gathered significant intelligence. With help from the dog unit, they successfully recovered a machete, a small amount of class A drugs, an unspent shotgun cartridge and a stolen credit card.

Hall Green Constituency - Sergeant Haroon Chughtai

Sparkbrook did a joint op with DVLA after intelligence around weapons in cars, 20 cars recovered/ seized for no tax

We arrested a prolific offender yesterday for 2 x vehicle crimes in and . Officers will be attending court to ensure a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO)is served against the offenders.

• A CBO is an order which prevents an offender from engaging in behaviour which is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person • A CBO may be an appropriate response to any type of offending and is not limited to 'low level' Anti-Social Behaviour. • It can prohibit the offender from doing anything described in the order • Or it may require the offender to do anything described in the order

We arrested 2 for robbery on Saturday for a series of car jacking's across BW and BE

Please follow our Twitter page @hallgreenconst

Central Motorway Policing Group (CMPG) Traffic officers assisted Birmingham East officers over three days

The traffic area op has proved to be a great success,. 26 Cars were stopped 19 had diesel checks two fixed penalty notices for mobile phone usage three prohibition notices issued. Alongside further arrests for class A and B drugs good result all around leading to disruption of criminality.

Thank you to CMPG Superintendent Twyford for their support. BIRMINGHAM East NPU NEWSLETTER –January 2019

Birmingham Partnerships Update – Crime & ASB

Gambling Commission Event – Police and partners unite and focus on safeguarding vulnerable people and reducing demand on the force

The Birmingham Partnerships team had a hunch that the true extent of the impact gambling addiction has on our communities may be underestimated. So they arranged an awareness event where partners from the Gambling Commission, local authority and Illegal Money Lending Teams were invited to give an input to officers and staff.

Over 100 people attended the event at Lloyd House, where the audience was reminded of the powers that officers have, the action they can take and the safeguarding that can be done to minimise the impact of gambling and reduce the demand it places on the force.

It is estimated that problem gamblers are more than four times more likely to be in prison than the average member of pubic. It is believed there are 400,000 problem gamblers in the UK, with a further two million at risk of becoming addicted.

Birmingham Partnerships Update – Youth Engagement

City of Birmingham School Officer - PC 7220 Richard Barber has just been recruited as the dedicated City of Birmingham School Officer. Rich will be working with the 8 Pupil Referral Unit Centres to co-ordinate police liaison and activity and provide support, guidance and resources with the aim of improving outcomes for young people excluded from mainstream education who are attending the centres and are involved in crime or ASB, at risk of involvement in crime or ASB or vulnerable to becoming a victim themselves.

Birmingham Partnerships Update – Vulnerability

Criminal Exploitation: the good news headlines is that the Criminal Exploitation panel have discussed more than 130 cases. We are monitoring and have interventions in place for more than 270 children. We are taking or seeking to take enforcement action against 90 identified county lines and West Midlands have secured the first conviction nationally for trafficking children and exploiting them in this manner. At the end of 2017 early 2018 we suffered a cluster of serious violent offences culminating in one young person being shot and losing a leg and another tragically being stabbed to death off the force area. Since the Criminal Exploitation panel convened we have not had another child suffer this level of violence. BIRMINGHAM East NPU NEWSLETTER –January 2019

Birmingham Partnerships Update – Crime & ASB

During the month of December partnership's linked in with third party agencies to assist in the distribution of crime reduction literature in total 2200 burglary reduction advice leaflets and also WM now cards were distributed with on line grocery deliveries by Tesco Direct - I-Care meals and Morrison's.

Officers and police staff alike from Birmingham Partnerships have been going door to door in high risk BDH areas to offer SelectaDNA property marking kits, burglary kits and general crime reduction advice to residents jointly with PCSOs from Neighbourhood teams. In addition, pavement marking has taken place on all the streets visited to warn would-be burglars that property marking initiatives have been carried out in the area. It’s a psychological prevention tool which sees messages marked on pavements using a special chalk spray paint that is designed to wash away after a few weeks. Feedback from residents has been overwhelmingly positive.

In addition to this, the team are also monitoring every person arrested for a burglary, robbery, theft from or theft of MV offences and checking their home addresses against a database of council and social landlord properties. Where they reside in a social housing property, details of their offending is being shared with the council or social landlord so that they can look at opportunities to enforce tenancy conditions or even revoke tenancies using an absolute grounds for possession power provided under the ASB, Police and Crime Act 2014. To find out more about this BDH initiative, contact Gary Stack who is the project lead.

Residents Mr & Mrs Breakwell: “I think it’s wonderful what you are doing, we have been burgled twice before and it’s so reassuring to know that the Police are helping us like this. We have already started to property mark our belongings using the kit and our son will register for us online. We can’t thank you enough!”

Birmingham Partnerships – Licensing

In the month of November/December the Birmingham Licensing team has received over 111 Temporary Event Notices (TEN) applications by pubs and clubs to increase their trading hours – with over 80 wanting to cash in over the festive period. In total 50 of the applications were vetoed. Many of these saw clubs that traditionally close at midnight wishing to stay open until 3am. The risk to those waiting for taxis at this time, and the inevitable demand on all of the emergency services, meant they were rejected.

“This is about a fine balance between allowing people to visit our vibrant entertainment areas and enjoy themselves, enabling the venues to benefit financially and contribute to the local economy, without compromising the safety of themselves and others,” said Inspector Imran Mirza

One of the premises was refused a three hour trading extension for 14 separate dates. This alone would have added an extra 42 hours of night time economy to police. This would have not been planned for and could have dramatically impacted the demand on officers working a late shift. BIRMINGHAM East NPU NEWSLETTER –January 2019

Birmingham Partnerships Update

Princes Trust, Acocks Green:

The team have worked extremely hard completing 3 projects at Sheldon Community Centre. Tomorrow we hand the project back over to FITCAP Day Nursery for the children to enjoy. They raised a total of £1,100 from bag packs and we had nearly £1000 donated from SELCO Warehouse in , and £350 donated from CROWN Decorators, Sheldon. In total £2,350 towards the community project. These photos are from weeks 5 & 6 Community Project.

Birmingham Partnerships – Vulnerability

Early help officers have now been embedded with Birmingham Children’s Trust Family Support Hubs for 12 months and their work has proved invaluable. Working alongside Local Authority colleagues they are supporting young people and their families in their daily lives to prevent and reduce the effects of trauma and manage the demand that is caused for West Midlands Police. The four police officers and one Police community support officer are leading the way for the force in dealing with identified issues at an early help level, before they have chance to escalate to serious and complex concerns. Below is some feedback we have received from a family support manager.

“Joint work and joint visits have supported workers and families, in supervisions workers have shared the value in taking you out with them to talk to parents and children. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated flexible officer assigned to our team. Workers have advised how supportive it has been to have you on visits and the partnership approach to the joint visits has been really successful and the families have benefitted from having a FSW and EH police officer assigned to their case. In addition we have seen an improvement in information sharing in particular when a new case comes in and workers are assessing cases the information you provide to enhance the Early Help assessments is invaluable in particular for the Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour section and the Domestic Abuse section.

From a manager perspective it is great to have this resource in the team and I have found working with you to be a pleasure. In particular when we are allocating cases having you as a point of contact for queries has been really useful and it has helped us to risk assess on some cases and helped us to determine where the case would be best placed to sit.”

Birmingham Partnerships - Vulnerability

Ability to help the most vulnerable is now at your fingertips

• New vulnerability form now available on force smartphones • Form allows you to immediately signpost vulnerable people • Referral can be made in the presence of the person to ensure their consent is given

Somewhere today a vulnerable member of our community will reach out to the police for help. They might be at their lowest ebb. Sometimes it might not be a police issue, but at their lowest point they have turned to us.

Alternatively you might be concerned about the support a person you meet is getting, their mental or physical condition or the state of their home. Maybe you feel a person with a criminal background could be drawn back into offending due to housing, benefit or another issue they are struggling to resolve.

It is these scenarios that have led to the creation of a new Vulnerability Referral form on the force’s smartphones.

“Not only is the new form going to help us safeguard these individuals, but it is going to streamline the system, reduce the demand and reassure those who are vulnerable that we have made a referral to the best placed partner agency,” said Sergeant Marina Dain from Birmingham Partnerships.

The new forms means an officer can ensure they have the permission of the vulnerable person to share their details. instantly.

Birmingham Partnerships – Restorative Justice

Franks Way, Stechford.

The Birmingham RJ team has recently resolved an 8 YEARS NEIGHBOUR DISPUTE through Restorative Justice! This neighbour dispute began over 8 years ago after a very simple misunderstanding when the 10 year son of the caller was locked out accidentally. 8 years later and every single little thing the neighbour's have done in that time, including inconsiderate parking and noise nuisance, resulted in a call to the police.

As all of the calls were very minor incidents, there was very little that could be done and instead officers attending always instructed the two families to “stay away from each other”. Whilst sometimes this is all that can be done there at the time, very often this advice compounds negative feelings between neighbours and only serves to stick a plaster on the problem.

On the 21st August 2018, another call to police was made regarding a dispute over the fence. This time PCSO 31178 Phillipa Barnes made the referral to the RJ team in the hope that we could help. Her simple email into the Restorative Justice inbox changed the lives of the two women and their families. On Thursday 3rd January 2019, an RJ conference finally took place between the two women. Dave Mogridge, the RJ facilitator said;

“At first the situation felt like it was impossible to solve. When they were both in the room the atmosphere was so still and tense. No eye contact was made between the two women and they didn’t even want to listen to each other. They were trying to talk through me rather than talk to each other using me as the messenger even though they were sitting in front of each other”.

The RJ conference took over 2 hours, but resulted in both women hugging each other and apologising for their actions! During the follow up call the day after the meeting, the one neighbour stated; “I’ve woke up this morning feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Now I can look forward to the new year and a new relationship with my neighbour!”

This is just one example of how RJ can resolve even those long standing neighbour disputes which many people would say is too entrenched for RJ. This case just shows that it is never too late!! BIRMINGHAM East NPU NEWSLETTER –January 2019

Hall Green Constituency Inspector Kirkpatrick officers have stepped in to donate toys to a family following a burglary at their home.

Just four days before Christmas, offenders broke into the home of a single mother and her four-year-old son in Baldwin's Lane, Hall Green stealing Christmas presents and food. Not wanting Christmas to be cancelled for the pair, local officers from the Hall Green constituency heard about their misfortune and donated their left over tuck shop cash to buy toys to make sure the family were still able to celebrate the festive period.

PCSO Levani Lagidze, from Hall Green Neighbourhood Policing Team (NTP), said: “We heard about what had happened to the family and we all just thought how awful it must be for them not to receive any presents on Christmas Day.

“We had some left over money from our tuck shop fund, so decided to donate the money to get them some presents to cheer them up.

The family were overwhelmed with the support from the local team and was really touched by the gifts. The icing on the cake was allowing my son to sit in the police car and put the flashing lights on

Constituency Stechford / Yardley Inspector Revitt

West Midlands Police treated a courageous Birmingham teenager to an early Christmas surprise after hearing how he tackled a burglar who ran into his school grounds. Lawson Goodwin was in the rear garden of Kimichi School, Acocks Green, at lunchtime on 11 June this year when he spotted a man clamber over a fence and sprint across the yard. Brave Lawson gave chase to the trespasser who minutes earlier was suspected in swiping a purse from a nearby hairdressers staff room . The 14yr old who has Asperger gave chase and tried to pull back the intruder as a result he was kicked in the face. Pc Andy Collis heard of the youngster's bravery and nominated him for a bravery award which he will receive in the new year.

Constituency Hodge Hill

Bordesley Green NPT PCSO James Jerome and PC Luke Cooper do some phenomenal engagement work with youths within our local community. James goes that extra mile to ensure the children are not let down and often changes his shifts to work rest days to accommodate the courses and activates in and is well received by local youngsters.

YOUR BIRMINGHAM EAST NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAMS

HALL GREEN CONSTITUENCY

Hall Green – Sgt. Michelle Cassidy [email protected]

Moseley/ Neighbourhood Sgt. Tom O’Keeffe [email protected]

Springfield -Neighbourhood Sgt Hanif Ullah [email protected]

Sparkbrook – Neighbourhood Sgt Chris Rigby [email protected]

YARDLEY CONSTIUTENCY

Sheldon Neighbourhood – Sgt Jennifer Edwards [email protected]

South Yardley – Sgt Mark Fellows [email protected]

Stechford/Yardley – Michael Wilson [email protected]

Acocks Green Neighbourhood - Sgt. Darren Brown [email protected]

HODGE HILL CONSTIUTENCY

Washwood Heath – Sgt Sadar Choudhury [email protected]

Bordesley Green – Sgt Adam Charlesworth [email protected]

Shard End – Sgt Neil Lloyd [email protected]

Hodge Hill – Sgt Dan Turnbull [email protected]

SUTTON COLDFIELD CONSTITUENCY

Sutton Neighbourhood – Sgt Heather Jones [email protected]

Trinity Neighbourhood – Sgt Greg Richards [email protected]

Vesey Neighbourhood – Sgt to be confirmed [email protected]

Four Oaks – Sgt Robert Mackay [email protected] Street Watch

Street Watch is a community-led initiative based on street patrols carried out by members of the public with no police powers.

Groups are managed by a volunteer co-ordinator who keeps a volunteer list and provides advice, guidance and support in consultation with the local police.

Volunteers patrol in pairs and register each patrol on a website. The neighbourhood policing team can look at the website before the patrols take place. If volunteers spot suspicious activity they should report it to the police but not get involved. Members of Street Watch must be 18 years or older.

If you would like to register your interest to participate in Street Watch please email Streetwatch@west- midlands.pnn.police.uk.

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch is one of the UK’s largest community crime prevention initiatives. It is not run by the police, but has dedicated members of staff working with it.

Every Neighbourhood Watch group is different because each is owned and run by the people of its community. Members of the public and their neighbours come together to make their area a safe and pleasant place to live.

Groups decide what measures to take because they know what their community needs best. Local groups also draw on support from police, local authorities, fire and rescue services, the voluntary sector and other volunteers.

Find out more by visiting www.ourwatch.org.uk

Crime Prevention – Have you heard about 27 Station Road

The virtual reality crime scene that could quite easily be your home . Can you beat the burglar in this crime-fighting challenge? Play the game, and get your home security tips at www.west-midlands.police.uk/27stationroad

If it’s not 999 – Search Online!

Start using LiveChat to interact with West Midlands Police rather than dialling 101.

The full 101 service is now online.

If a citizen can’t find what they are looking for on the site, they can LiveChat with an advisor.

(LiveChat available Mon – Sun 8am – midnight)