West Midlands Police - Latest News

The parents of a nine-year-old boy who died at school of a suspected allergic reaction have released an image of their son. Mohammad Ismaeel Ashraf (known as Ismaeel) fell ill at Al Hijrah School in Burbridge Road, Bordesley Green, on Friday afternoon (3 March). Police and paramedics arrived at the scene to find the youngster collapsed and, tragically, he died later in hospital. A post mortem will take place and the child’s family are being supported by specially trained officers. Detective Chief Inspector Edward Foster said: “We continue to support the family during this tragic time; the family have asked that their privacy is respected. We are working with the school and other partners to piece together exactly what happened.”

Female policing pioneers gathered for an event on International Women’s Day as West Midlands Police underpinned its commitment to gender equality. The reunion brought together three of the six women who’ve held the most senior ranks with the force – Assistant Chief Constable and above – plus the first female dog handler, first woman deployed with the firearms unit, and first to fly with the police helicopter. The group met at the force’s Lloyd House HQ on Wednesday (8 March) to hear about the trailblazing first female members of the Women Police Department a century ago and share stories on life working with WMP. It’s the latest in a series of events organised by the force to celebrate 100 years of women in policing in the West Midlands #WMPWomen100. Chief Inspector Yvonne Bruton, Chairman of WMP’s Association of Women in Policing, said: “These ladies are genuine policing pioneers. They broke new ground by becoming the first to secure roles in departments that had been male-only environments – and in doing so paved the way for other women to follow in their footsteps. “They have also shown women can succeed in every rank and role within West Midlands Police; if they have the ability, drive and commitment to public service, they can achieve their ambitions. “I hope this visible representation of the success of women in West Midlands Police will inspire other women to join the service, to make a difference to our communities across the wide range of roles that our officers and staff undertake.” There are now 2,200 female officers in the force – which amounts to a third of the total – and includes Neighbourhood Police Commanders, heads of key departments like Public Protection, Force CID and Force Contact, plus the force’s Deputy Chief Constable. Since West Midlands Police re-opened its recruitment process more than two years ago, 150 out of a total of 415 new PC recruits have been women. Attendees at the gathering included Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe, former dog handler PC Elizabeth Dodd, and helicopter air observer Sarah Hipkiss. Firearms officer Ashley Moore (pic with mum Yvonne, herself a former police officer) also joined the event. In 2000 she was the first female officer to be assigned to the force’s Armed Response Vehicle unit and is now a qualified firearms instructor training-up the new armed police recruits. She said: “The fact I was the first woman on the team wasn’t a big deal for me; it was a role I’d always been fascinated by and was determined to prove I could cut it in what was a male dominated unit. “I certainly wasn’t treated any differently…I didn’t want to be. You can’t afford to make allowances for anyone in policing, especially not firearms, so I was treated exactly the same as male colleagues and had to hit the same high standards. “The unit has come on hugely since then: we now have 10 female firearms officers with more great prospects in training. If I helped open their eyes to firearms being a career opportunity for them then I’m happy.” Last year, West Midlands Police was praised for its “dedication to diversity and equality" after being named one of the country’s most inclusive employers. It ranked seventh in the ‘Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers’ list − compiled by judges from the Excellence in Diversity Awards − which showcases organisations that have demonstrated commitment to workplace diversity. International Women’s Day is an annual event promoting greater awareness of equality for women, celebrating achievements of women past and present, and pushing for more women in senior leadership roles. *PHOTO: (back) Yvonne Bruton, Ashley Moore, Sarah Hipkiss. (Front) Elizabeth Dodd

Police have today named a man and woman who died following a knife attack at a flat in Merry Hill, in Wolverhampton yesterday (8 March). Police were called to a high-rise block in Leasowes Drive, in Merry Hill at around 9.45am following reports a knifeman had attacked two women in a property. Ann-Marie James aged 33 was found with fatal stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene, while Melvin James is understood to have turned the knife on himself and also died a short time later. Their 59-year-old mother was taken to hospital with serious stab wounds to her abdomen; she has undergone surgery but remains in a critical condition. A post mortem examination has revealed that Ann-Marie died as a result of a stab wound to the chest and that her brother Melvin died from multiple stab wounds. Detective Inspector Warren Hines, from Force CID is leading the investigation. He said: “The family are absolutely devastated at the loss of Ann-Marie and Melvin, two people who were really dear to them. “They have asked that their privacy is respected so they are able to grieve at this difficult time. “My thoughts remain with the family who continue to be supported by specialist family liaison officers during this difficult time.” Anyone with information which may help DI Warren Hines should call 101. Alternatively, people who do not want to speak with police officers can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The family of a motorcyclist killed in a city centre collision earlier today (10 March) has paid tribute to their 'fun, fearless, happy go lucky, Peter Pan'. Officers found the 38-year-old motorcyclist on Aston Circus near to Curzon Circus and Lawley Middleway at around 4.10am. Ryan Dowling, from Kingstanding, was treated by the ambulance service but despite their best efforts they could do nothing to save the him and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The roads nearby were closed for several hours while traffic officers began work to establish the circumstances around the collision. Paying tribute to Ryan, his family said: " Our beloved son, brother, father and friend. Words cannot describe the pain we are feeling today. Your departure will leave a hole in our hearts forever. "Heaven has gained a fun, fearless, happy go lucky, Peter Pan. We are sure your lovable rogue character will still be the life and soul of the party wherever you go. To know you, was to love you. Sleep well Ryan. We love you always xxxxxxx." Sergeant Alan Wood, from the force's Collision Unit, said: "We are appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of the collision or just before who saw the a motorcyclist. "We continue to piece together the movements of the motorcyclist and the circumstances that led to the collision and we really need people to come forward. "The family of the man are being supported by specialist officers at this tragic time and our thoughts remain with them." Anyone with information is urged to contact the force's Collision Investigation Unit on FL_COLLISION_INVEST@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk.

Sparks fly as a gang targeting in-shop cash points use an angle grinder to slice through shutters at a Black Country post office − but just minutes after their raid was caught on camera all four were arrested by West Midlands Police. CCTV footage shows Simon Phillips using a circular saw to attack metal security screens at Wollaston post office in the early hours of 1 September before Terry McMahon smashes open the front door with a sledgehammer. Along with fellow gang members Adrian Peach and Dennis Carr the crooked quartet rushed the store and used a large crowbar in a botched attempt to prize open an ATM machine. At one stage the shop manager bravely confronted the men before they fled empty handed on realising police units were en route. The men sped away in a powder blue Audi − stolen from an address in Bromsgrove on 29 June − but were soon spotted by West Midlands Police officers responding to the 999 call. The getaway car was abandoned in Clent Way, Bartley Green, where Phillips (38) and 33-year-old McMahon were found by officers lying low in a hedgerow. Peach (29) and 38-year-old Carr were spotted ducking into the foyer of a block of flats and later arrested in nearby Bucknall Crescent. An angle grinder was recovered from the Audi and clothing used during the raid found discarded in the flats’ communal entrance. All four admitted conspiracy to commit burglary with Phillips, from Beckbury Road in Weoley Castle, and Peach from Kitwood Avenue, Tamworth, also admitting another shop attack at Snappy Tomato Pizza in Chelmsley Wood on 18 June. They were jailed for eight years each while McMahon, from Rudyard Grove, Kitts Green, and Carr from Princess Anne Drive in Rubery were handed sentences of six years (Pictured clockwise from top left: PHILLIPS, MCMAHON CARR, PEACH) The men were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (March 10). Investigating officer, Detective Constable Bev Johnson, said: “These are dangerous men who used heavy-duty tools to crudely hack their way into shops. Thankfully no-one was injured but we shouldn’t under-estimate the psychological impact for victims coming face to face with masked men wielding weapons. “Phillips was on prison release licence at the time of the attacks having been convicted of very similar disc cutter attacks on ATM machines. “Thanks to the swift 999 call we were able to get officers on the scene quickly and the men were in police custody a matter of minutes after fleeing."

A rucksack found in a hotel room stuffed with £76,000 in used notes has been seized by West Midlands Police under the Proceeds of Crime Act − after officers disproved claims the cash was inheritance money from a Saudi estate. Officers found the stash − largely in Scottish bank notes − in an east Birmingham hotel room after alert staff raised child exploitation fears when two men and a young woman checked into a double room. A 46-year-old man from Kilmarnock − and with links to Coventry and Dudley − was arrested on suspicion of money laundering but later released without charge. However, officers seized the suspected drug profits and insisted the man provide evidence he’d come about the money legitimately before it was returned. In police interview he initially claimed the money was inheritance from his father’s estate in Saudi Arabia but later said £30,000 was given to him by a Scottish restaurateur. Officers found no evidence to substantiate his defence − and on Monday (6 March) West Midlands Police presented a Proceeds of Crime Act case in a Birmingham court. Magistrates granted the cash forfeiture after saying they were satisfied the money was “intended for use in unlawful conduct". The 46-year-old failed to appear for the hearing and didn’t challenge the decision. West Midlands Police Financial Investigator Becky Walburn, who works with the Force’s Payback Team, said: “He offered no evidence the money had been accrued legitimately: he said he worked in the car trade but couldn’t provide any paperwork relating to sales or profits and was not able to substantiate his inheritance claims. “It’s suspected the money was either drug profits or for the purpose of buying drugs. “The man was unable to prove how he’d come about the money − either earning, winning or inheriting the cash − and the court was happy it could be seized. “I’d also like to thank the hotel staff who did exactly the right think in calling police over their concerns that the young girl was potentially the victim of child sex exploitation. It turned out she wasn’t, but did lead to the recovery of a large sum of money." Officers were called to the hotel on 28 January last year. The money can now be ploughed into community projects or crime prevention schemes in the West Midlands through the £1-million Active Citizens Fund. Police & Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, added: “This seizure is an excellent result by West Midlands Police and the money will help transform neighbourhoods. From after-school sports clubs to computer classes and more, this dirty money will be used to clean up communities through my Active Citizens Fund. “There’s a real sense of justice with ill-gotten gains stripped from criminals that are then used for good in our communities."

Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for information after disorder broke out at a birthday party in Smethwick in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 11 March). Officers were called to the CAP centre on Windmill Lane at around 1.19am following reports shots had been fired at the location. Specialist units were immediately deployed and a search of the area was conducted by officers who found what appear to be a bullet and a shotgun casing. The immediate area has been cordoned off while forensic experts complete a detailed search and officers are trawling CCTV to establish what happened. Local teams are carrying out reassurance patrols and house to house enquires. Detective Sergeant Chris Jones, from Force CID, said: “No one at the scene had sustained any injuries and at present no victim has been identified; however hospital checks are being carried out to establish whether this is definitely the case. “Clearly gun crime is a high priority for us and we will be working round the clock to identify who is responsible. We urge anyone who was at the party or in the vicinity, and saw what happened, to contact us as soon as possible with any information.” Those with information are asked to contact police on 101. Alternatively if you do not want to speak directly to Police you can call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111. Please quote log 147 11/03/2017

The family of a teenager who died when his bike crashed into a car have paid tribute to their loved one. Sean Purchase, 15, was riding along Wandsworth Road when he was hit by a grey Vauxhall Astra near to the junction of Bandywood Road, Great Barr on 7 February. A quick-thinking driver used his van to shield the lad from further harm while a woman performed CPR until a police officer, who was in the area at the time, was able to take over having summoned additional support. Medics raced Sean to Birmingham Children’s Hospital under police escort for intensive treatment. Unfortunately it became apparent that his injuries were non-survivable and Sean, who is from the Great Barr area, passed away on 6 March. Speaking about their loss, his family said: "Sean was the strongest person anyone could meet and we are so proud of him and have been truly blessed to have him in our lives. "Life will never be the same for all his family and friends however his kind nature and awesome sense of humour will never leave our hearts. "As a family we would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support at this devastating time." The driver stopped at the scene and is helping police with enquiries however officers continue to appeal for any witnesses who have not yet come forward to contact PC Damian Gibson at the Collision Investigation Unit on: 101 ext 843 6056 or by emailing: fl_collision_invest@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk

A cold-hearted thief - dubbed the Pick-Pocket Queen of Birmingham - is back behind bars again after preying on elderly women shopping in the city. Margaret Johnson has 153 offences to her name, including 93 for theft, but her latest crimes have “stooped to new lows" according to the specialist West Midlands Police pick-pocketing team that’s brought her to justice. Cruel Johnson’s most recent bag-snatch victims include a 76-year-old woman shopping in Lidl’s Tile Cross store on February 2 with her grandson who has Downs Syndrome. The 40-year-old was caught on security cameras stalking the pair around the aisles - and when the pensioner had her back turned she stepped in to swipe the handbag from inside a shopping trolley. It left the woman devastated as, along with cash and bank cards, the bag also contained a glass eye that belonged to her son who was killed in a car crash 30 years ago - and which she’d carried around with her ever since. Johnson was caught by an alert member of the city centre police team in the Bullring on February 8 - an area she’s banned from under the conditions of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) secured as part of her last court conviction. She appeared at Birmingham Crown Court this Friday (10 March) where she was jailed for two and a half years after admitting six thefts - including against a heavily pregnant woman and others aged 80 and 84 - plus breaching the CBO. Birmingham Police Sergeant Julia Slater, said: “It’s hard to find words to describe Margaret Johnson. She is someone who thinks absolutely nothing about preying on the most vulnerable people in society and stealing money from them that they can ill-afford to lose. “She deliberately targets elderly, lone female shoppers - people she considers easy targets - and when an opportunity arises she slyly swipes their bags or slips purses or mobile phones from pockets. “Even by her own despicable standards she has stooped to new lows with these offences. “She has been given ample opportunity to change her ways but refuses to engage with our offender management teams and throws offers of support back in our faces. Shoppers in the city are much safer with Johnson in prison." Johnson (pictured above) was released on prison licence on 18 January this year but within just six days was back to her old habits. On 24 January she struck at Lidl, in Mackadown Lane, Tile cross, and made off with a 60-year-old woman’s handbag - and less than an hour later pinched a mobile phone from the jacket pocket of another shopper in Chelmsley Wood’s Asda supermarket. The next day she repeated the bag snatch trick on an 84-year-old lady in Aldi Castle Bromwich, Chester Road, and 24 hours later fled from Home Bargains in Stechford Retail Park with the pregnant woman’s phone. The moving CCTV above is from this crime. Her final bag-snatch victim - a lady aged 80 - was shopping in B & M Bargains, Priory Queensway, on February 6 when Johnson pounced. Her latest conviction also came with a CBO banning her from large parts of Birmingham city centre and from stores such as Poundland, Clarkes, Iceland and Asda across the whole of the West Midlands. Sgt Slater, added: “Breaching the Order is a criminal offence…if any of our officers spot her in an area or store where she’s excluded from then she’ll be arrested and faces being sent back to prison." Birmingham Police’s Pickpocket Team is the only such specialist theft unit in the UK outside London and sees undercover officers posing as shoppers on the look-out for thieves, aggressive begging and suspicious activity.

A mum has joined West Midlands Police to help the force hammer home the potentially tragic consequences of not wearing a seatbelt - after her son died in a car smash while not belted up. Sukhi Atwal will visit schools and speak to drivers and passengers as part of a week-long awareness campaign to highlight the dangers. Her 12-year-old son Amar died while a rear seat passenger in a relative’s Mitsubishi Outlander which was struck by a taxi in Hollyhedge Road, West Bromwich, in May 2015. The cab driver caused the collision after shooting across a give-way junction and was jailed for six years for causing death by dangerous driving. Amar - who suffered serious head injuries after being thrown from the vehicle - was not wearing a seatbelt at the time. Above: Footage of the collision between the car and taxi Mrs Atwal is now joining traffic officers and West Midlands Police Special Constable Clive Broadhurst - who campaigns on seatbelt safety at schools across the region - as part of an international seatbelt awareness campaign running from today (13 March) until Friday. She will be at a roadside checkpoint urging motorists to make sure all passengers wear seatbelts and that youngsters are safely strapped in child car seats. Mrs Atwal, from Great Barr, said: "We will never get over the loss of Amar; he was such a bright, intelligent, fun-loving boy. He was an innocent victim of the crash and there is now a huge hole which can never be filled in our lives. "Wearing a seatbelt could have saved his life…at the very least it would have given him a better chance of survival. "We can never get Amar back - but I just hope by encouraging both young and old to try and be as safe as possible they won’t have to go through the heartbreak we have." Clive - who has produced a heartfelt video featuring images of Amar and Suki that will be used during his school inputs - added: "I regularly go around schools to give road safety advice and urge pupils to be strapped in…it can prevent serious injuries or even save your life. "It has been the law for more than 30 years to wear a seatbelt and only takes a few seconds to buckle up - but it is still surprising the amount of people who don’t. "It is very brave of Sukhi to share her experience and hopefully it will hit home how wearing a seatbelt can make a difference. She doesn’t want any other family to suffer the heartbreak she has had to endure." Officers from Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) will be monitoring motorways and other routes across The Midlands as part of the week-long campaign; drivers who are pulled over for not wearing one face a £100 fine. In two separate week-long campaigns across the UK last year there were more than 7,600 offences reported - and research has shown wearing a seatbelt reduces the chances of being killed in a car crash by 50 per cent. Inspector Sion Hathaway, from CMPG, said: "We really can’t stress enough the importance of wearing a seatbelt . Not only do you risk a fine if caught not using one but they can prove a life-saver."

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was found with serious injuries after being stabbed in Netherton last night. Officers were called to Halesowen Road just before midnight (Sunday) following reports of a disorder near to the health centre. A 28-year-old man was found to have suffered a number of stab wounds and has been taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious condition. Detective Inspector Colin Mattinson from Force CID said: “ Investigations are on-going at the scene; officers are carrying out forensic examinations and CCTV enquiries. We are asking if anyone was in the vicinity of the health centre in Halesowen Road last night and who saw what happened or has any information, to contact police on 101.”

A Halesowen man who terrorised taxi drivers in the area by threatening them with a used needle has been put behind bars for seven years thanks to a police investigation. David Purcell, aged 31, was sentenced for two counts of robbery at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 1 March, after he threatened the drivers in summer last year. Purcell, from Hamilton Avenue, got into the first taxi on Cloister Drive on 6 June where he held what he claimed was a used syringe infected with the Aids virus to the taxi drivers neck and demanded money. The terrified man handed over cash and Purcell then fled on foot. He did exactly the same thing on the second occasion, this time on Shenstone Avenue on 14 July. Fortunately neither driver was injured in the robberies. Officers traced Purcell after working with the owner of the cab firm and linking the phone number they had been called on by the offender to the phone owned by Purcell. It was found in his possession when he was later arrested on 2 August. DC Sean Lowe, who led the investigation, said: “These serious offences understandably caused a lot of concern amongst cab drivers in the area, who feared the offender would strike again. “Mobile phone cell site data was collected for both the offences which put Purcell at the locations and coupled with positive identification by the brave victims we were able to get this result. “I hope the news he has been taken off the streets for such a long time offers reassurance both to local drivers and to the community.”

Detectives in Solihull are appealing for information following a large scale disorder in the town centre earlier this year. The disorder took place on Saturday 21 January 2017 between 3.10am and 3.25am, but it’s unclear what sparked the violence. Unfortunately somewhere in the region of 15 to 20 people were fighting and members of the public who tried to intervene were subsequently assaulted themselves, including one young female victim who required immediate hospital treatment due to significant facial injuries. No-one was arrested at the time and we are currently appealing for anyone who recognises the outstanding suspects to get in contact. If you have any information please contact PC Jenny Wooton on 101 ext 891 3048 or email j.wooton@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote crime number 20SH/34363L/17.

A former special constable has been jailed for six months for perverting the course of justice after a two day trial at Birmingham Crown Court. Nikki Clarke, from Birmingham, had denied that she lied about a speeding ticket to protect her boyfriend, who was disqualified from driving. In July 2015 the 35-year-old’s black Lexus activated a speed camera on Yardley Wood Road doing 38 miles per hour in a 30 speed limit. Clarke claimed she was driving the car on the fixed penalty notification form sent to her, but ignored subsequent correspondence. She also failed to attend court following a postal summons alleging she had never received it. She was found guilty in her absence after failing to attend a further hearing in March 2016. Police Constable Jason Dooley, from the force’s camera enforcement unit, said: “At this point Clarke began to query the evidence and said it could not have been her driving the car as she had been at work all day with the only set of keys. “But ultimately an image of the offending vehicle taken by the camera showed the driver clearly as Clarke’s ex-partner, who did not hold a UK licence and was disqualified from driving.” Clarke then alleged that she was a victim of domestic abuse and had reported this several times to police, refusing to give evidence against her ex as she was scared of him. However a search of police systems reveals no such reports. Clarke was found guilty on 14 February and sentenced on Wednesday 8 March.

Three men were arrested in the early hours of this morning (March 14) over a series of armed shop raids in which staff were threatened with an axe. Police were alerted to two attempted robberies in less than an hour last night – first at Nisa in Kitts Green Road at 8.40pm followed by Co-Op in Walmley Close, Sutton Coldfield. On both occasions staff were grabbed by a man and threatened with a hand axe before fleeing empty handed; no-one was injured during the attacks. A West Midlands Police Armed Response Vehicle patrolling in the Northfield area just after 1am spotted the suspected Ford KA getaway car in Fourlands Road. The car was intercepted and men aged 23, 26 and 37 – all from Birmingham – were arrested at the scene on suspicion of robbery. They will also be questioned in connection with another shop robbery at Sidhu News in Washwood Heath Road, Ward End, at 7.20am on Saturday morning when a man armed with a knife fled with till takings. West Midlands Police Detective Sergeant Phil Poole, said: “Thankfully no-one was injured in the attacks but staff members were understandably shaken up at being threatened with a weapon. “All three men are currently being held in police custody for questioning. “If anyone witnessed the robberies, or has any information on who may be responsible, I’d urge them to call my team ay Stechford police station as soon as possible on the 101 number.”

Two men have been handed lengthy jail terms after police found sawn-off shotguns stashed under the seats of a car stopped in central Birmingham. Firearms officers pulled over the Citroen C3 driven by Yasir Nassir at 5am on 10 September last year in Newtown Row. They spotted shotgun cartridges in the rear seat footwell and a search of the car – in which Kuldipsingh Atwal (pic left) was a passenger – uncovered two short-barrelled firearms, plus a starter pistol, hidden under the seats. Subsequent searches of 45-year-old Nassir’s home in Moncrieffe Street, Walsall, uncovered another shotgun, a silencer, two air rifles, pellets and blank 6mm cartridges. Both Nassir and 49-year-old Atwal, from Stafford Street in Walsall, denied knowledge of the guns but refused to answer any police questions when interviewed. However, Nassir went on to admit possessing firearms with Atwal found guilty on the same offences and at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (March 10) they were jailed for seven and eight years respectively. West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Vanessa Eyles said the tough sentences should act as a warning to anyone possessing illegal firearms. She said: “This was a great piece of police work: intelligence suggested the car was linked to firearms and the information proved spot on. Firearms officers did a brilliant job in safely stopping the car, arresting the man and securing the weapons. “Atwal and Nassir tried to distance themselves from the weapons… but that’s not easy when you’re driving around in a car in the early hours of the morning with them at your feet. “We had no evidence these shotguns had been fired in anger but possession alone leaves offenders facing many years behind bars. This result is a strong message to the criminal fraternity that holding illegal weapons will be dealt with severely by us and the courts.” Both men have previous convictions for violent offences. Atwal was convicted in 2011 at Wolverhampton Crown Court for robbery and jailed for three years, while Nassir was given a four-and-a-half year sentence, also for robbery, at Lincoln Crown Court in 2010.

A UK champion athlete has been jailed for 18 years after admitting trying to kill a member of the UK Athletics staff at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham last year. Fell runner Lauren Jeska stabbed UK Athletics’s Head of Human Resources and Welfare, Ralph Knibbs, leaving him with life-threatening injuries to his head and neck on the morning of Tuesday 22 March. She also inflicted minor injuries on two other members of staff as they rushed to Mr Knibbs’ aid at the head office in Walsall Road, Perry Barr. The attack was totally unprovoked and left several members of staff in a state of shock. Detective Sergeant Sally Olsen, from the force’s Violent Crime Team, said: "We understand that Jeska had been asked to provide further evidence of hormone levels after historical complaints to UK Athletic that she had an unfair advantage competing in women’s events because she had been born a man. "The governing body’s policy required the athlete to take blood a test but she took exception to this and feared being unable to compete." Police investigations show that Jeska planned the attack that day. She filled her car with fuel the night before and drove 100 miles from her home in Machynlleth, Mid Wales to the stadium. She was captured on CCTV parking her car and returning to it a short while later to change her shoes before heading toward the offices carrying a rucksack. She entered the building and asked to see Mr Knibbs at reception where she was told to wait, but she continued her way through the open plan office and carried out the brutal attack on him. Colleagues rushed to his assistance, administering life-saving first aid, and called emergency services. Without thought for their own safety two staff members were injured as they disarmed Jeska of the two knives she held in each hand and detained her until police arrived. In a victim impact statement presented to the judge at today’s hearing former England under 23s and England Sevens rugby player Ralph Knibbs told how the events of that day have impacted on his life. He said: "My overriding feeling is that I am very lucky to be alive, as the vascular surgeon informed me on several occasions in the days following my operation, when I was in hospital. Since the attack I have been re-evaluating what is important in my life, as I try to get back to some normality after this near death experience." He continues to make a steady recovery from his injuries. Staff at UK Athletics have also been affected by the incident and increased security measures have been introduced along with ongoing staff counselling. They told the court: "UK Athletics is a national governing body for the sport of athletics in this country. It works to support athletes, with their welfare being key to what we do. Therefore none of its activities would ever have been expected to result in such a chain of events taking place. "Our Head of HR Ralph Knibbs has always been a very popular, friendly, supportive and much respected figure within our workforce. That such an attack should happen to such an individual was devastating, but to have it played out within our office cut to the very core of our organisation. "The impact of the attack on Ralph has therefore been deep and lasting at both an individual employee and a corporate level, changing attitudes and working practices. Athlete welfare is a key element of everything we do, and for us to suffer such an unprovoked and brutal attack as a consequence of trying to assist and support an athlete has been a very difficult thing for staff to comprehend and respond to." Det Sgt Olsen added: "Jeska carried out a violent and unprovoked attack on a man whose sole objective was to enable her to compete. She will now have plenty of time behind bars to contemplate the devastating consequences of her actions. "We are grateful to UK Athletic for their ongoing support in our investigation." The 42-year-old was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court today (Tuesday 14 March).

Bobbies across the West Midlands are set to mark their two-millionth hour on the beat, since the force cemented its commitment to local policing. The Police and Crime Commissioner and Deputy Chief Constable moved to protect the “vital function” of neighbourhood policing during the force’s major modernisation programme known as WMP2020. In November last year the first phase of the ambitious programme went live. This included a new look neighbourhood policing function, body worn video for officers and more. Since then, neighbourhood officers have spent two million hours preventing crime, protecting the public and helping those in need. New teams were also created to free up officers on neighbourhoods, allowing them to continue their essential work - intervening early in local issues to prevent future harm - while Response colleagues were released from some time-consuming duties which allowed them to focus on helping people when they need it most. At the same time, the force also invested in smartphones for officers to allow them secure access to information on the go. Before this, they would have had to return to a police station and log on to a computer. Thousands of hours on the beat are believed to have been saved thanks to the devices. Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe is the lead for the force’s major transformation programme, WMP2020. She explained: “Every area continues to have its local officers and, as promised, neighbourhood policing has been protected. “Yes we had to move some people around but in addition to protecting the function, we protected the numbers of officers carrying out this vital role. “Our investment in technology has freed up our people to spend more time tackling crime and less time returning to the station to update systems and complete paperwork. “In the past neighbourhood teams have had to support other functions, for example backfilling Response roles or guarding crimes scenes but that is no more following the first phase of delivery under the WMP2020 programme and today marks a milestone since these vital changes. “The creation of new teams, like Force Support, has afforded our local officers more time to focus on the important community work which sees us intervening early to prevent people from following a path into criminal behaviour, or indeed becoming a victim. “This approach is also a public demonstration of our commitment to neighbourhood policing.” There are the equivalent of 1,376 full time officers assigned to neighbourhood policing supplemented by dozens of volunteer special constables. This week they will have amassed two million hours on the beat since November. Over the same period 4,000 people applied to join the force during recruitment campaigns to enlist new PCs and police community support officers (PCSOs). Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, David Jamieson, said: “We haven’t just protected neighbourhood policing, we are strengthening it. By investing in new technology we are putting officers where the public want them – out on the streets, not filling in forms. “To support neighbourhood policing we will recruit 800 police officers, 150 PCSOs and 200 specialist staff by 2020. “The public want local policing to help solve issues in their neighbourhoods and that is what we are delivering.” Neighbourhood policing teams are the face of local policing. They are supported by emergency Response officers, detectives from CID and Public Protection, Traffic officers and thousands of other specialists who work around the clock to prevent crime, target offenders and protect local people. The number of officers aligned to neighbourhoods is based on local crime levels and other data. Follow this link and enter your postcode to meet those responsible for policing your area.

More than 250 drivers in the West Midlands were hit with new heavier fines for using mobile phones behind the wheel during a week-long clampdown. Offenders included 30 truckers, a driving instructor, and a man accessing mobile banking while travelling on the M5 with a phone in one hand and a bank statement in the other. All of the 261 distracted drivers caught during the 1-8 March campaign have been handed £200 fines and six points on their licence. (CREDIT; 123RF PRO) It means if they’re caught again they facing being banned from the roads through the ‘totting-up’ process. Inspector Sion Hathaway, from the Central Motorway Police Group, said: “It’s disappointing that despite all the publicity around tougher new punishments, and the dangers of distracted driving, many people are still putting lives at risk by using phones at the wheel. “It’s shocking so many HGV drivers were among those we caught: these are professional drivers, ones that should be setting high standards, yet we found 30 truckers phoning, texting or using the internet while driving. “We used our unmarked police HGV cab during the operation which enabled us to look right into truckers’ cabs and catch any trying to discretely use mobile devices. They’ve been reported to the regional Traffic Commissioner, who oversees regulation of the haulage trade, and could face a suspension. “A driving instructor was also among those fined. He was found using a mobile when his full attention should have been on his learner driver. “Motorists should not need the risk of a £200 fine and six points to stop using phones: the possibility of causing a crash, one that could result in devastating consequences, should be deterrent enough." Around half of the distracted drivers were caught on the M5 and M6 with the others pulled over on urban roads in the West Midlands. West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, who brought in the original ban on driving while on a mobile phone back in 2003, added: “These tougher penalties are welcomed by all sensible road users as driving while using a handheld mobile phone is potentially lethal. "This is about saving lives. Studies have found that motorists who talk on their handheld phone while driving are four times more like to crash. Statistics also show that in just five years there were more than 3,000 accidents involving a driver on the phone. "But I want it to go further: I’d like to see local groups benefit from the higher fines. It is only right the fines from reckless drivers help pay to keep our roads safe."

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a 24-year-old man was killed in a collision in Stechford last week. Juel Downer, from Bordesley Green, died in hospital on 28 February after suffering serious injuries on February 24. The black Seat Leon he was a passenger hit a black VW Golf at the junction of Stechford Road and Hodge Hill Road at around 10.25pm. Detective Sergeant Alan Hands said: “This is a tragic case and our thoughts are what the family and friends of Mr Downer. We are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision and we have spoken to the drivers of both vehicles. “However, we are keen to speak to any witnesses who either saw what happened or who were in the area at the time. In particular we would like to speak to the driver of a white or light coloured HGV tractor unit that was travelling along Stechford Road in the direction of Stechford Lane at the time.” Anyone with information is urged to contact the force’s Collision Investigation Unit on FL_COLLISION_INVEST@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk.

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