Tamworth Blog

BTP are looking to question this man

British Transport Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen two mean who had a Knife on a train service between Nottingham and Birmingham New Street.

A male passenger on the service on Friday 29 Jan, feared the two men were going to rob him of his ipod after boarding in Burton upon Trent.

The victim told the Police that he over heard the two men discussing stealing his ipod and noticed one of the men was carrying a flick knife.  Fearing for his safety, the passenger locked himself in the toilet of the train until the trains arrival at New Street, where he notified the British Transport Police at around 10pm.

It is believed the two men also got off the train at Birmingham New Street, but despite a search of the area, the men couldn’t be found.

BTP are also looking for this man

British Transport Police today released CCTV images of the two men they wish to talk to in relation to the incident.  They are both described as white, in their early 20s, of proportionate build, about 5ft 9in and wearing tracksuits.  Both men were carrying holdalls and one was also carrying a snooker cue holder.

Anyone who recognises either man, or who knows their whereabouts, is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident number 610 of 29/01/2010.

Police in Tamworth are asking for in locating a man reported missing from his town centre home on the evening of Friday, January 29.

David Andrew Salisbury, aged 43, is described as white and around 5ft 5in tall.

He has striking straight white hair and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a grey t-shirt with the words ”Rock and Roll” in red, a blue hooded top and black beanie hat with “NY” on the front in white lettering.

The sudden and unexpected disappearance of Mr Salisbury is of concern to both police and his family.

Mr Salisbury is a married man with two young children and his family are keen for him to contact with them.

Officers want to hear from anyone who may have seen him on or since January 29, or who may be aware of his current whereabouts.

It is known that he socialised within the town centre and is also a member of Tamworth Amateur Radio Club.

Officers would be happy to speak with any friends or associates who feel they may be able to help locate Mr Salisbury.

Anyone with information should contact DC Mark Woodings at Tamworth CID on 0300 123 4455.

Police Tape - Photo: Andrew Rickman

Residents in the Tamworth area are being warned to be on their guard against bogus callers.

The advice follows two suspicious incidents in which a man attempted to gain entry to properties claiming he needed to turn off the water supply.

The first incident took place in Cherry Street, The Leys, Tamworth, at around 9.20pm on Thursday, December 3.

The bogus official told the female occupant there had been a burst water main and the supply needed to be turned off. The woman shut the door on him and he walked off.

The man is described as white, in his late late teens or early 20s, around 5ft 9in tall, of average build, and wore a dark blue deerstalker-type hat and dark clothing.

Officers are linking it with a similar incident on Deer Park Road, Fazeley, just before 9pm on  Tuesday December 8.

This time the caller claimed water was pouring out and he needed to access the supply. The elderly female occupant, who did not open the door to him, told him to go away but was left shaken.

Residents are urged to contact police if they have suspicions about any caller at their door.

Even if someone claims to be an official – including police officers and council representatives – people must get their ID checked out.

Residents are asked to remain vigilant at all times and to follow this advice:

• Never trust anyone calling at the door without a prior appointment. Should you receive such a call leave the door locked.
• The caller will hear you through the door when you ask them who they are.
• If they state they are from a utilities company ask for your account number, they should have this, if not, do not let them in and tell them to leave, and that you are calling the Police.
• Always ask for ID, and check it.
• Do not allow anyone to carry work out on your home, or sell you anything when they cold call at the door. If you do require work to be done, INSTIGATE IT YOURSELF, by phoning three companies asking for like for like quotes. Then decide.
• Do not keep large amounts of cash in your home, you may think that you have the perfect hiding place, but these criminals will find it.
• Please remember there is no such company as the Water Board, Gas Board or Electric Board. These words are only used by the offenders.
• Always report any suspicious behaviour to the Police, if you think it is suspicious, it probably is.
• Keep your doors locked even when you are home.

Residents should also follow the stop, chain and check rule when people call at the door:

• STOP – If you are not expecting anybody and they don’t have an appointment – don’t let them in.
• CHAIN – Use your door chain or bar before opening the door
• CHECK – Ask to see ID and double check this.

Council Leader Philip Atkins and the new Book

A book about the Staffordshire Hoard has been released just in time for Christmas with at least £1 of the books £4.99 price will go towards the appeal fund to bring the hoard home.

The limited release book tells the remarkable story about the hoards discovery, describes the collection and offers an initial interpretation of the treasure and it’s significance.

The Anglo-Saxon gold was discovered by Terry Herbert using a metal detector in a field.  Little did he know that he had stumbled across the biggest discovery of Anglo-Saxon Gold in history, uncovering it for the first time in 1400 years.

The book will be on sale at Tamworth Library, Tamworth Castle and the Tamworth Information Centre as well as online from the British Museum at the Staffordshire Hoard website.  Numbers are limited so get in quick now to help bring the hoard back home to the midlands.

Staffordshire County Council Leader Philip Atkins welcomes the new book.

“This book will bring greater understanding and appreciation of the hoard, the ancient kingdom of Mercia and how it’s part of our county’s history.

“I’m delighted that when people buy the book, they are playing a very real part in the fundraising effort to bring the Hoard home for present and future generations of Mercians.”

Ventura Park Tamworth - Pic: Chris B

Police in Tamworth are appealing for any witnesses following a theft of a custom-built bike from outside the Matalan store in Ventura Park at about 5.30pm on Friday November 6.

The black ‘Dirt Jumper’ cycle has gold-coloured wheels and is worth £1,200. It was taken from outside Matalan where it had been left secure at around 5.30pm on Friday (6Nov).

Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information to contact them on 0300 123 44 55 quoting crime number 500 of 7/11/09 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Tamworth Police are appealing for the driver of a car involved in a collision to come forward.

The incident which happened in Leedham Avenue at around 10.30am on Tuesday October 27.

View Collision with Pedestrian in a larger map

The female driver did stop at the scene but didn’t leave any details.

Police are now urging the woman to contact PC Karen Green at Tamworth Police Station on 0300 123 44 55.

An EFIT of the Peelers Way Attacker

Tamworth Police are still appealing for assistance in identifying a man who attacked a 20 year old Woman on Peelers Way early on Saturday October 31 between 3.00 and 3.30am.

You can read the original story here.

Police though are urging anyone who might recognise the man who is described as white, in his early to mid 20’s and of ‘muscular build.’ His hair was cropped very short and possibly ginger or very fair.  He was wearing dark trousers or jeans and a distinctive black ‘V’ neck sweater – but he was not wearing a shirt underneath the sweater.

Anyone with information should call Tamworth CID on 0300 123 44 55 or, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

An EFIT of the Peelers Way Attacker

E-FIT IMAGE OF TAMWORTH ATTACK SUSPECT

THIS is the face of the man detectives believe is behind an assault on a 20-year old woman in Tamworth.

The computer generated image shows a man in his early to mid 20’s who grabbed the woman and pulled her to the ground as she walked along Peelers Way near to Campion Drive close to the town centre (See a Google Map Here).

Detectives have built up the picture of the offender after interviewing his victim following the incident which happened at around 3am – 3.30am last Saturday morning (31 Oct).

Although badly shocked, the 20-year old was not seriously hurt and is making a good recovery.

Detectives at Tamworth are hoping this e-fit will help someone put a name to him and prompt them to call police.

Detective Sergeant Mitchell Thomas, who is heading the enquiry, said it was important the man was identified quickly.

The offender is white, in his early to mid 20’s and of ‘muscular build.’ His hair was cropped very short and possibly ginger or very fair.

He was wearing dark trousers or jeans and a distinctive black ‘V’ neck sweater – but he was not wearing a shirt underneath the sweater.

DS Thomas Said

“This style of dress and his muscular build may have made him stand out to other people who were out and about in Tamworth on Friday night. Anyone who feels they know who he is should call us as a matter of urgency,

“We are also appealing for help from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Peelers Way/Campion Drive area in the early hours of Saturday morning or who knows anything about the incident,”

Anyone with information should call Tamworth CID on 0300 123 44 55 or, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Calls to Crimestoppers are free and callers do not have to leave their name or give any information which could identify them. Crimestoppers pay rewards – again anonymously – for information leading to a conviction.

Inspector Emma Griffiths, neighbourhood policing Commander at Tamworth added:

“Fortunately, the assault was interrupted when a passing motorist stopped to help. The offender ran from the scene along Peelers Way, away from the town centre.”

“It is extremely important for police to trace this individual. He is very likely to have returned home to his family, partner or parents in the early hours of Saturday with potentially grass stained or dirty clothing.”

Inspector Griffiths said she wanted to reassure people that this was a rare and isolated incident and police were doing everything possible to trace the offender including checking CCTV in Tamworth town centre and at local pubs and clubs.

Tamworth Police Station - Photo: Paulette Francessca Sedgwick

Staffordshire Police have issued a warning after an elderly lady found money missing after being duped by the man who was claiming to be raising funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI).

The Con Man told the elderly lady that he was collecting money for the RNLI and produced a card featuring both a boat and the organisations distinctive logo.  He proceeded to sell her some goods, but later the lady realised that a quantity of cash was missing.

The theft happened earlier this month in the Dordon area and both Staffordshire and Warwickshire Police are seeking assistance in catching the criminal.  They are concerned that the con man may have tricked his way into other homes and stole from them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tamworth police on 0300 123 44 55, quoting crime reference 0191/22 or, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have been approached by this man.

Birmingham Womens Hospital - Pic: Oosoom

A Tamworth woman has spoke about the taboo subject of donating eggs in the hope of encouraging other women to do the same for Birmingham Women’s Hospital’s Give Hope, Give Life appeal.

Amanda Robins from Tamworth said in the Birmingham Mail:

“After I had my daughter three years ago, I thought about donating as having a child is amazing and I wanted to give other couples that chance,

“My husband was supportive but a few relatives disapproved on religious grounds.

“The good it does outweighs all the negative points.”

Amanda has donated a total of 21 eggs in the last 16 months, the first donations were unsuccessful but this year she has assisted a woman get pregnant.

In the Birmingham area there are currently more than 230 couples who can only start a family with the help of an egg donor.  Currently though there is a major shortage of donors and eggs so the waiting list is over three years long.

Birmingham Women’s Hospital’s Assisted Conception Unit and the National Gamete Donation Trust (NGDT) are looking for donors to help women left infertile by cancer treatment, ovary removal due to disease or even premature menopause and hopefully give them the chance of having a family.

Donation co-ordinator, nurse Wendy Ross, said in the Birmingham Mail:

“It makes this job worthwhile when a couple has a success, but I also see sadness that one in three couples won’t be successful.

“We have had only 30 donors this year but there are a lot of couples with a desperate desire for a family. The waiting list is only getting longer.”

To find out more information about this you can visit the Hospitals website.