Tamworth Blog

BP Garage Cordoned Off Yesterday - Pic: Debbie

The two males arrested regarding the suspect package found in Tamworth on Monday have been charged.

Jonathan Cunningham (dob 27/7/82) of Greenheart, Tamworth, and a 16-year-old boy from Tamworth have both been charged with possessing an explosive substance in suspicious circumstances.

They remain in police custody and are due to appear before magistrates in Tamworth this morning (Wed).

Inspector Emma Griffiths, from Tamworth police, said:

“We’d like to re-iterate our thanks to local residents and business for their patience and co-operation. Incidents like this are extremely rare but we’d always encourage anyone who witnesses anything suspicious to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

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.”

Tamworth Police Station - Photo: Paulette Francessca Sedgwick

Officers are warning Staffordshire residents to be on their guard against a scam which could cost them thousands of pounds.

People who legitimately advertise vehicles or other goods on the internet, in magazines or local newspapers are being targeted in the fraud across the country.

The buyer, who doesn’t physically meet the seller, sends a cheque for the vehicle which is significantly higher than the asking price. They instruct the seller to keep “a little extra” for themselves and forward the rest of the additional money to a shipping agent via Western Union credit transfer.

The seller banks the cheque, which appears to have cleared, and sends on the additional money only to find shortly afterwards that the cheque was phony and they’ve lost the money they sent via Western Union.

Several Staffordshire residents have been targeted, including a Cannock man who sold his car on-line for £2,000 only to be asked to forward £3,500 in additional money. Fortunately, he grew suspicious and did not forward the additional cash, reporting the matter to police yesterday (Mon).

Staffordshire Police fraud investigator DC Neil Powell, from Chase division, said:

“These fraudsters, who are usually from foreign countries, have no intention of buying the vehicles and are only interested in conning people out of large amounts of money. A tell-tale sign is that their emails often include poor English or bad grammar.

“If anyone receives a cheque which is higher than the asking price, they should check its legitimacy with their bank and always be cautious. You have to ask yourself, ‘Why would someone I don’t know trust me with thousands of pounds of their own money?’. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.”

Staffordshire victims should report their crime to Staffordshire Police 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.

Christmas - Pic: Scott Feldstein

Tamworth Police are setting up in St Editha’s Square the end of this week all in the Christmas Spirit.  This Friday (December 18), Santa Clause will be a guest of Tamworth Police in his grotto.

St Editha’s Square will turn into a Christmas wonderland with a choir, face painting, free mince pies, chocolates, a Jester and Balloon makers will all be in the square, bringing the Tamworth community together.

The Police Officers will be joined with PCSO’s, Street Wardens, Tamworth Borough Council and the Fire Brigade will also be in the town centre.

The Christmas event will coincide with a high visibility operation throughout the town centre and Ventura park where officers will be targeting theft from the shops with a host of undercover officers patrolling the towns stores.

PC Venus Wakley said:

“St Editha’s Square will see a Santa’s Grotto as well as other festive treats, but we will also be around to talk about crime in the town centre.

“There will also be a high-visibility police operation throughout the town, targeting town centre crime.  We want to make the town safe.”

The town centre will see events over the weekend as well, although Santa is in town for one day only.

Sunday December 20 will also see a special event at St Francis Church in the Leyfields.  This Christmas is a great time to pop along and meet the Police officers who police the town centre area.

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.

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.

Photo: Jess Loughborough

Stephen Ward has been sentenced to 5 and a half years detention following being found guilty of manslaughter of his friend, Sam Byrne at a New Years Party last year.

Mr Ward, who was tired at Stafford Crown Court was found guilty of manslaughter on September 11.  The Jury coming to their decision after hearing how Sam Byrne was killed by a brick hitting him on his head during a New Years eve party on Comberford Drive, after Stephen Ward was asked to leave the party (You can read the article on his sentencing here.).

Detective Inspector Ronnie Walker, speaking in the Birmingham Mail after the trial said:

“It was a totally needless waste of a young man’s life and left his family and friends devastated.”

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.