Tamworth Blog

Tamworth Police Station - Photo: Paulette Francessca Sedgwick

Staffordshire Police are warning Tamworth residents of a bogus trader after a builder caused damage to a home after not completing his first job.

The rogue builder targetted the same home in Glascote twice. On Saturday Feb 13, he offered to paint the outside of his home for £580. The 37 year old victim handed the builder the £580 in cash. The paintwork was then primed but not actually completed.

The ofender returned to the same house on Tuesday February 23 and offered to complete the work. Whilst completing the work and without the homeowners permission he removed removed roof tiles, damaged wooden beams and a bedroom ceiling.

The rogue builder then demanded over £1,250 deposit to fix the damage, he only left the property when the victim contacted the Police, threatning to cause more damage to the property.

The rogue builder is described as as white, aged in his 50s or 60s, 5ft 6ins tall, chubby with short grey/white hair. He was clean shaven, spoke with an Irish accent and wore a zipped navy blue fleece and jeans. He turned up at the home, with other workmen, in a white van.

PC Alison Pearson, from Tamworth police, said:

“This rogue trader claimed to be from a legitimate roofing company, and handed over leaflets containing these details about it.

“We’d urge anyone who is approached by him not to hand over any money but to contact police straight away.”

Anyone with information should ring PC Pearson on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.  Tamworth Police are working with Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards.

BP Garage Cordoned Off Yesterday - Pic: Debbie

The police press office have stated that searches have now finished in Glascote Road and the police cordon has been lifted. The two men arrested last night remain in custody.

Police Tape - Photo: Andrew Rickman

Officers from Staffordshire Police were handed a suspect package at approximately 4.30pm yesterday (Monday) by a member of the public in Tamworth.

The package had been found in Glascote Road and was taken to the police station in Spinning School Lane.

The police station was cordoned off while the package was examined and deemed safe. No member of the public was at risk at any time and the station was re-opened last night.

Officers have also cordoned off an area in Glascote Road while further searches are carried out this morning (Tues) to ensure the safety of the public and gather evidence from the scene.

A 27-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both from Tamworth, were arrested last night in connection with the incident. They remained in custody overnight and will be questioned today.

Inspector Emma Griffiths, from Tamworth police, said:

“We’d like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience and co-operation while we investigate this unusual incident.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal for anyone with information to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455, quoting incident number 472 of February 1, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Traffic Cones - Pic: Ian Britton

Glascote Road is to receive a much needed revamp wtih Staffordshire County Council spending some £700k on resurfacing the road and improving the drainage system on the stretch through Glascote.

The disruption will see the stretch between Marlborough Way roundabout and Abbey Road being resurfaced and improved over a 18 week period begginning on February 1.

The drainage system improvements which will see some 200 metres of piping replaced is hoped to relieve the flooding which occurs in the area during heavy rain.

The main work will see Temporary Traffic lights used, with side streets periodically closed to reduce congestion.  A diversion will also be in place utilising the A5 bypass.

Busses will continue to use their usual routes and schedule, likewise businesses and homes in the area will still have access to their properties.

Local county councillor Michael Oates said:

“This is a first class scheme which will have a positive impact on the area for many years to come. The drainage system has struggled to cope when we have had heavy downpours in the past so this investment will be a big boost to the area.

“The B5000 is one of Tamworth’s busiest routes and is used by thousands of motorists every day. However, in the short term we do understand that the work to improve the stretch of road may inconvenience people and would like to apologise for that in advance.”

The final stage of the construction will see the stretch between Marlborough Way and Dumolows road closed due to it being a narrow carriageway.  All traffic will be diverted along the A5 bypass and busses will be diverted along Dumolows lane.

Stethoscope - Pic: Wenzday01

Tamworth Residents are being asked for their view on the local health services provided throughout the town.

Health Chiefs from South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust  want to hear what you think.  What’s working well?  Where can the services being provided be improved?

The Chief Executive of SSPCT and his team of directors will be holding a drop in session at Glascote Heath Health Centre (Caledonian, Glascote Heath.  Click here for map) on Monday December 7 between 12 noon and 1pm.

If you have a view, questions or any general feedback, you are invited to drop in to meet the directors and have your say.

The team will respond to as many issues raised as they can on the day but will also take more complicated issues to the PCT for further investigation and report back to those who raised the issue.

Chief Executive Stuart Poynor said:

“We’ve held a number of drop-in sessions in the past and have been able to take forward many of the issues raised.

“I look forward to meeting the residents of South Staffordshire to hear how we can work together to improve the quality of services for the whole community.”

In addition to the public drop-in sessions, the PCT is also introducing a number of measures to make it easier for people to provide independent feedback on their experience of local services and will be undertaking a programme of visits to existing community and voluntary groups.

Operation Nemesis

This morning, Tuesday December 1, Staffordshire Police arrested 13 people on suspicion of supplying heroin and cocaine, after series of dawn raids across the town.

The raids come after months of detailed investigation and planning by the forces Serious and Organised Crime Department and Trent Valley Division and involved around 200 Police Officers who targeted addresses across Tamworth in what is described as the biggest Police operation in Tamworth’s history.

Whilst the early morning raids were focussed on enforcing the law and taking drug dealers off the streets of Tamworth, Staffordshire Police and a number of partners are working together to provide support and services to those who have been effected by drugs in Tamworth.

The raids took place just before dawn across multiple addresses in Tamworth, including Stonydelph, Bolehall, Amington, Leyfields, The Leys and Glascote as well as the town centre itself.

Police Entering the Property in Bolehill

Accompanying the Police to the scene of one of the raids on Bolehill we were invited to see the operation in action.

The raid took place at 6.40am in Bridgewater Street, with Police making their way through and searching the property.  Whilst the person they weren’t on the scene, Police found drug paraphernalia and the search of the property was still on going.  To aid the search Officers used sniffer dogs as well as a traditional search.

However, the Police received information on where their chief suspect was and an arrest was made just around the corner from the property raided during the early morning operation.

As part of the operation, each location Police Officers raided saw a flag bearing contact details and operation details erected, allowing neighbours to understand what was happening and of course, hopefully seeing more people come forward with more information.

Property Raided in Bolehill

Speaking to Tamworth Blog, Assistant Chief Constable, Mick Harrison said:

“This morning has gone pretty well, we have carried out a series of warrants across Tamworth today and it appears to have been a successful morning, targeting drug dealers who have been bringing misery to Tamworth residents.”

When asked about why Staffordshire Police chose to focus on the drug problem in Tamworth, Assistant Chief Constable Harrison continued:

“We have surveyed a lot of the community and they say the dealing of drugs is one of those problems. It’s part of our service to react to these problems.

“We have been working on this for some while collecting intelligence, turning that into evidence and this is the final stage, carrying out 17 raids across Tamworth and the Midlands.”

One of the men arrested in this mornings raids

The raids are the first stage of the operation in Tamworth, the next stage is engaging communities and working with partners to assist those who have been effected by the drugs in Tamworth.  Assistant Chief Constable Harrison continued:

“Enforcement is the first stage, we want to galvanise communities to show we are responding to their concerns, but we also working with other partners including Tamworth Borough Council and Health Partners who assist with the treatment. So those who are effected by drug addiction can get into programmes and get treatment to get off drugs.

“It’s not just about enforcement but also the treatment of those on drugs.”

The raids though aren’t the only events to happen today, the Police will be visiting Schools to talk to school children about the evils of drugs.  Assistant Chief Constable Harrison continued;

“Our officers and PCSO’s will also be going into schools talking to young people about the evils of drugs.  It is a joined up package to tackle all aspects of drugs and drug dealing.”

The raids which were on the same scale of those made in Stoke-on-Trent earlier in the year under the Operation Nemesis, one which Staffordshire.  Assistance Chief Constable Harrison said:

“If people feel they can take the place of those who have been taken out, they best watch out, as we’ll be after them too.”

In total, the early morning raids have seen 13 arrests made across the town including:

• three men aged 19, 24 and 34 in the town centre area
• two men aged 27 and 28 in Bolehall
• a 28 year-old woman and 25 year-old man in Stonydelph
• a 33 year-old woman and 36 year-old man in Riverside area
• a 23 year-old man in Belgrave
• a 27 year-old man in Coton
• a 21 year-old man in Leyfields
• a 31 year-old man in Glascote.

All those arrested have been taken to Burton-upon-Trent Police Station to await a hearing later this week.

Following the raids, their has been a Neighbourhood newsletter distributed to more than 3,000 Tamworth homes telling residents  about today’s arrests and appealing for any more information about drug use in their neighbourhoods.

Throughout today both there are numerous partner events taking place, including a door to door campaign and a huge presence by the Tamworth Borough Council Street Scene team and wardens throughout the town.

Staffordshire Primary Care Trust and South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare Foundation Trust will also be boosting capacity to assist those whose lives are being blighted by drugs.    Both are working in partnership with the Police to identify where resources would be best targetted in assiting those who are suffering from drug misuse.

Stuart Poynor, Chief Executive of the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust, said:

“We fully endorse the actions taken to tackle drugs misuse which we know destroys families and damages communities.

“The NHS in South Staffordshire is working in partnership with police to target resources where we will make the most difference because we want to ensure that people receive support to successfully complete treatment and re-establish their lives.

“Our priority is the health and well being of the people of South Staffordshire.”

Sue Parkes, Head of Substance Misuse Services for South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, added:

“We provide the direct clinical care for those suffering from drug misuse so we know from first hand experience, the misery drugs bring to individuals and families.

“Our clinical staff, including doctors and nurses, assess and treat individuals according to their needs.

“The treatment is based on rehabilitation and recovery and with clear action plans involving patients and their families, which are regularly monitored by clinicians.”

Police are still appealing for anyone who suspects activities linked to drug dealing in their neighbourhoods to contact them either on 0300 123 44 55 or call Crimestoppers for free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For more information on drug support and treatment services in Tamworth, drug users and their concerned relatives can call:

Hatha Yoga - Pic: myyogaonline

Hatha yoga Classes are available in Dosthill Boys Club  every Wednesday morning between 11-30am and 1pm

The classes are also held across the town on other days including:-

• Millfield Primary School in Fazeley Wednesday evenings between 7.30pm and 9pm.

• St. Martins Centre in Ellerbeck, Stoneydelph – Thursday Mornings between 10am – 11.30am

• St Peters Church and Community Centre in Hawksworth, Glascote Heath – Thursday evenings between 7pm – 8.30pm.

For more information email Angela on angelayoga@yahoo.co.uk or telephone her on 0780 983 2082.

The Fire Raging on the flood plain

A spate of fires in the past week are believed to have been started by youngsters.

It is believed that youngsters triggered some 31 fires across the town, spreading our fire service to the brink as they set light to conifers, motorcycles, grass, rubbish skips and vans.

The fires have been spread across the town, with reported incidents in the town centre, Amington, Belgrave, Glascote, and Stonydelph.  The craze has been ongoing with some 43 fires dealt with during September, of those 26 were arson.

Brian Roy, Tamworth Fire Stations risk reduction officer told the Tamworth Herald:

“These youngsters are endangering their own lives and could be seriously injured,

“Fires can spread so quickly and cause a lot of damage and of course there is the chance that someone could be seriously injured.

“Apart from that, these fires take us away from more serious incidents. We were called to a road accident this week – we should not be dealing with grass fires when there has been an accident in which someone could have been seriously injured.”

Police are still investigating the fires and members of the public are being urged to come forward with any information about the fires, either by calling the Police or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

New Police Chief Inspector Emma Griffth’s said:

“Our investigations into these latest incidents are ongoing and we are on their trail, we are adopting a zero tolerance approach and we WILL prosecute.”

Police Tape - Photo: Andrew Rickman

Tamworth Police are appealing for any witnesses to an armed robbery that took place on Glascote Road’s BP Petrol station on Friday September 18.

The robbery which took place at approximately 6.30am on Friday September 18, saw two armed men rob a delivery lorry at the petrol station.  The two men approached the delivery man with a knife before telling him to move out the way.  They then proceeded with stealing a number of items from the lorry before they drove off in a Silver Subaru towards Polesworth.

Detective Superintendant Phil Rose said on the This is Tamworth website:

“Two males approached the driver as he was unloading, one has pulled out a knife and told him to get out the way.

“They jumped on the lorry and helped themselves. A quantity of goods were stolen.”

The men were described as having West Midlands accents and described as in their late 20’s early 30’s.  One is described as being about 5ft6in tall, he had a handkerchief covering his face and was wearing a hat.  The second man was about 5ft8in and was wearing a red and blue waist length jacket.

DS Rose continued

“At 6.30am people are going to be on their way to work. We are appealing for anyone who has seen the vehicle to come forward.

“It would have been making off at speed and could have been cutting people up.”

The lorry driver wasn’t injured during the incident.

Anyone with any information should contact DS Rose or DC Andy Weekes at Tamworth CID on 0300 1234455 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Reminder for Bolehall residents that the local PACT – Police and Community Together, meeting will be held this evening at 7pm in Woodlands Primary School, Canning Road, Glascote.

If you want to discuss local issues or concerns with your council representatives, police PCSO’s and street wardens please come along, everyone welcome.