Update on street racing injunction
A High Court injunction banning street racing in the Black Country remains in force, with a review hearing being held on Wednesday 26 February.
The injunction, led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of the Black Country councils and supported by West Midlands Police, prohibits people from participating, as a driver, rider or passenger, in a gathering of two or more people where some of those present engage in car racing, vehicular stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.
Granted in February 2024, the injunction also applies to organisers and spectators, prohibiting people from promoting, organising or publicising gatherings, or from participating in a gathering as a spectator with the intention or expectation that some of those present will engage in street racing.
The injunction covers the whole of the boroughs of Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton and anyone found to be breaching it will be in contempt of court. The injunction may lead to civil penalties in addition to those available to the criminal courts.
One man was jailed by the Crown Court for 13 years in November for the criminal offences of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving after two teenagers were tragically killed at a street race in Oldbury.
Numerous other street racers have received civil penalties for breaching the street racing injunction, including nine people who have received suspended prison sentences for breaching the injunction on Sandwell's streets.
Meanwhile, a vehicle has been crushed following seizure by the police. Street racing invalidates a vehicle’s insurance policy and allows the police to seize and destroy the uninsured vehicle.
Street racing puts people’s lives at risk and can have tragic consequences.
We’ll continue to work closely with Sandwell Police and other councils to tackle dangerous and anti-social street racing. Find out more – including how to report street racing incidents.
|
 Op Advance returns to Sandwell
Sandwell Police officers have made more than 20 arrests, seized more than 20 vehicles and taken drugs and weapons off the streets as they tackled the issues that mean the most to you in Sandwell.
Wednesday 22 January saw the return of Operation Advance – 24 hours of intensified police action where officers focused on priorities and concerns from residents such as road safety, anti-social behaviour and shop thefts.
Policing teams, along with partners such as Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards and Anti-Social Behaviour teams, were out engaging with communities – giving out crime prevention advice, talking to residents and business owners.
Acting on intelligence, officers also executed drugs warrants. They also focused on road safety as part of a traffic operation, which included the council’s road safety education officers.
Visit West Midlands Police’s news story for a round-up of this successful operation.
As part of Op Advance, the council's Anti-Social Behaviour Team put a special focus on Wednesbury town centre, working with partners to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour issues.
This included real-time CCTV monitoring, plus dedicated patrols and visits to shops and businesses. A joint operation between police and the council’s trading standards officers saw illegal vapes and illicit tobacco seized from two shops in Wednesbury.
The success of Op Advance is expected to serve as a model for similar partnership operations in the future.
New Safe Spaces
The Sandwell Safe Spaces scheme has officially launched in Wednesbury town centre and Great Bridge in Tipton.
This initiative, which has already been running in West Bromwich town centre and Bearwood in Smethwick, provides a safe indoor location for people who may feel vulnerable, distressed or worried while out and about in high streets and town centres.
Safe Spaces are buildings such as shops, libraries and other organisations where you can go if you feel unsafe outside. There, you can call and wait for a family member or friend, for example, to collect you or for the police to arrive.
The new Safe Spaces scheme in Wednesbury town centre was launched at Morrisons in November (pictured below), while Asda hosted the launch in Great Bridge, Tipton, in December.
Find where the Safe Spaces are across Sandwell.
Raising awareness of hate crime
Council officers, in collaboration with police partners, have been hosting talks on hate crime in community settings in recent months.
These sessions featured workshops for young people in Smethwick and West Bromwich, organised by Powered by CAN and The Great Bridge Community Forum. Furthermore, workshops for adults took place in partnership with the Aman Group Project and at the Dorothy Parkes Centre.
Talks provided insights into hate crime, its effects on victims, their families and entire communities. Attendees also learnt where to find support in Sandwell for those affected by hate crimes and the significance of reporting these wherever encountered.
Talks were complemented by information tables about hate crime set up at Sandwell Libraries.
Advice on reporting hate crime
Successful hate crime prosecution
A woman from Sandwell harassed her neighbour over four months and was racially abusive towards her during this period.
The defendant was charged with numerous offences including an offence of racially aggravated harassment which she denied. She pleaded guilty to the offence on the trial date.
In November 2024, she was sentenced to a 12-month community order with rehabilitation requirement days which were increased to reflect the hate crime element. She was also ordered to pay compensation.
Source: Crown Prosecution Service West Midlands
Advice on reporting hate crime
Knife Angel in Sandwell
In October and November, the Knife Angel was displayed outside Sandwell Council House, Oldbury, with various activities held throughout this time aimed at starting conversations and preventing knife crime and violence among those under 25.
The sculpture attracted over 10,000 visitors. This figure included 400 young people at facilitated sessions conducted by Ambitious Lives and West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) and 17 classroom visits reaching over 1,000 children and young people.
We also relaunched the campaign around prevention of knife crime called #lifeorknife.
Local police demonstrated a ‘stop and search’ and provided giveaways like bracelets and key-rings. Children expressed their ideas for a safer Sandwell, showcasing a strong desire to contribute to community safety and share their thoughts on potential new rules or laws.
The Knife Angel sculpture was brought to the borough by Sandwell Council and the Safer Sandwell Partnership working together with British Ironwork Centre, West Midlands Police and the VRP.
In December, it was reported that there was a 20% drop in serious youth violence in Sandwell compared to the same time the previous year. The VRP has established a number of programmes and initiatives in Sandwell over the past year to bring down levels of serious youth violence. These include projects like mentoring schemes, specialist workshops and sporting activities which have contributed to positive outcomes for young people in Sandwell, as well as support from schools and the council’s young people’s services
These results reflect the work of partner organisations and our communities, but we are determined to do more.
Most people do not carry knives; most young people do not carry knives. But we need anyone who does, or is tempted to carry a knife, to turn their back on a choice that could cost their or another person’s life.
|
Find out more about the Change Makers Programme, which is an important part of the legacy of the Knife Angel because it will teach students how to challenge harmful behaviours, resolve conflict and stay safe all year round.
The six sessions have been developed by the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) in collaboration with young people, as part of the youth-led My Tomorrow campaign.
|
Combatting the sale of knives to underage people
As part of the Knife Angel initiative and Operation Sceptre, Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards team, in collaboration with West Midlands Police, conducted undercover test purchasing operations to determine whether local retailers were complying with laws prohibiting the sales of knives to underage people.
During these operations, 15-year-old volunteers attempted to purchase knives and other bladed items.
Alarming results revealed that nine out of ten shops failed to ask the young volunteers for identification, allowing the illegal sales of kitchen knives, Stanley knives and other bladed items. These offending retailers have been formally warned by Trading Standards and the Police and will be subject to follow-up test purchases.
Further breaches could result in criminal prosecution and substantial fines.
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, expressed deep concern.
She said: “Knife crime devastates local communities and impacts the lives of many young people. Our Trading Standards team alongside the Police work tirelessly to conduct test purchases and educate retailers on responsible knife sales. It is unacceptable that so many retailers are breaking the law, and I expect urgent action to prevent young people from accessing knives.”
Inspector Colin Gallier, from West Midlands Police, said: “We’re acting on your information, carrying out extra patrols in high risk areas, regularly delivering impactive inputs in all schools and colleges, using mobile metal detectors at tram and bus stops, fitted weapon secure surrender bins across the borough where people can safely dispose of dangerous items, reminding businesses of their legal responsibilities, and more. We’re also distributing life-saving bleed control kits and training business and community leaders how to use the equipment designed to help casualties in the minutes before paramedics arrive.”
|
Community Understanding Terrorism workshop
The Sandwell Prevent Team visited Ileys Community Centre in September to raise awareness with community members around the two main terrorism threats to the UK and Sandwell, which are Al-Qa’ida/ISIS-inspired terrorism and Extreme Right-Wing terrorism.
Attendees gained knowledge of the current threats of terrorism and how they have evolved in recent times, by looking at history, case studies and videos. The audience learnt about the importance of reporting to safeguard people and to help prevent concerns from escalating, and how to report those concerns. The workshop received positive feedback from those who attended.
If you are concerned someone is being radicalised you can contact Prevent_Inbox@sandwell.gov.uk, or the ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764 or visit the ACT early webpage. In an emergency, always call the police on 999 (or 101 non-emergency).
Sign up for next Understanding Terrorism Community Workshop
Tuesday 25 February, 1pm - 3pm, at Ileys Community Association, Corbett Street, Smethwick, B66 3PU
The workshop will support members of the community in Sandwell (including parents/carers) and community groups/leaders to understand issues relating to terrorism.
To reserve your space email prevent_inbox@sandwell.gov.uk
|
CCTV coverage helps capture perpetrators of thefts and robberies
Operators from Sandwell Council’s CCTV Control Room observed suspicious behaviour in parts of Friar Park, Wednesbury.
After notifying the police, the individuals were apprehended and linked to a series of thefts and robberies in the area.
Sandwell Police acknowledged the vital contribution of the operators in capturing those responsible for "some violent and nasty crimes across the borough of Sandwell".
Useful links
More information on where you can find support in Sandwell if you have been the victim of an abuse or crime, whether this is recent or was a long time ago
Find your nearest Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centre if you wish to report a hate crime through local organisations rather than to the police directly. Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centres staff are trained on dealing with reports of hate crime and can help you get the support that you may need after experiencing or witnessing a hate crime.
Find out what’s happening in your community by signing up to WMNow for updates about crime, safety advice and road closures.
The Just Youth website is the go-to place for children and young people in Sandwell to find something to do, someone to talk to and somewhere to go. Designed with and for young people, the website provides:
- Advice, guidance and sign posting on a wide range of topics
- Help to find someone to talk to if they have an issue
- Help to find something to do in their local area
- An opportunity to have their voice heard through a youth forum or group
|
