Police have revealed the Birmingham neighbourhood where crime cost taxpayers an estimated £7 million last year. West Midlands Police said theft, anti-social behaviour and drug use were plauging Erdington – and vowed to crack down in a new operation.
From today, Tuesday, January 7, police will target the offences blighting the lives of Erdington residents. The force will be using money seized from criminals to fund Operation Fearless.
Police estimated crime in the area cost the economy £7m in the last year – with Det Supt Jim Munro admitting residents “aren’t feeling safe.” The action followed regular reports of violence, open drug use and theft making the lives of residents and traders a nightmare.
READ MORE: Police crackdown on seven crimes in Erdington as top cop admits ‘people don’t feel safe’
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Officers said Erdington was identified as the launch area for the operation based on crime trends, data and consultation with partners. Earlier this year we met local business leaders on Erdington High Street, who revealed small groups openly sold drugs on the street from 8am, with addiction fuelling scores of shoplifting offences and violence.
A few months later in June 2024, we found blood stains on the pavement outside a shop on Erdington high street following a nasty attack, and businesses reporting that violence and intimidation had made the high-street a ‘no-go area.’
Police have revealed the Birmingham neighbourhood where crime cost the taxpayer £7 million last year
Most recently, on December 30, police raided a shop on Erdington High Street to discover £1 million-worth of vapes and drugs stashed behind a fake wall. West Midlands Police said the dedicated operation would “take daily action on the crimes that affect the community the most”.
As part of Operation Fearless, police will work with Birmingham City Council and other agencies such as immigration, bus and rail companies, and businesses to combat:
- Drugs
- Anti-social behaviour
- Robbery
- Violence
- Shoplifting
- Sale of stolen goods
- Exploitation
Police said feedback from people living and working in Erdington had been “fantastic, with many already noticing the difference”.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “Erdington is just the first part of the Fearless story – with more parts of the region set to benefit in the coming months. Erdington was identified as the launch area based on crime trends, data and consultation with partners. It’s estimated crime in the area has cost the economy £7m in the last year.”
Mr Munro, who is heading the operation, said: “Every day, people in Erdington should feel safe, but we’ve been listening to community concerns, and we understand people aren’t feeling safe. So we are now launching Operation Fearless to ensure people feel safe coming to Erdington to live, work and shop.
“Working with a host of partners, we’ll be making this area safer and dealing with the crimes that matter to people the most. We hear you, we understand you and what matters to the community the most. What we need now is your support.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “I am pleased to announce I am investing nearly £1million from proceeds of crime recovered from criminals, to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. Operation Fearless is launching first, in and around Erdington High Street.
“West Midlands Police, working with partners, will be robustly targeting the crime and anti-social behaviour associated with drugs, robbery, shop theft, violence, stolen goods and exploitation. I am committed to ensuring there is a reassuring and visible presence out on the streets to keep people, families, businesses and local communities safe and secure. “