Chelmsley Wood crime and yob crackdown as 'armed and masked criminals on rampage'

More than 100 calls to the police were made from in and around the area’s bus interchange in just four months to last November, a report said.

They included reports of knives being brandished, bus vandalism, theft, fights and the “dangerous” use of electric bikes. The thugs involved often hid their faces with masks and scarves, the document said.

Now the council is set to introduce a public protection order for Chelmsley Wood which would ban specific offences within a a designated area and carry the threat of fines for anyone who broke the rules.

A report prepared for Solihull Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for communities said: “Data from West Midlands Police indicates a problem in the area.

“Chelmsley Wood is consistently at the top of the list for reports to West Midlands Police of anti-social behaviour. A significant proportion of those reports are from the area in and around the bus interchange.”

Between July and November last year, 113 calls for help from that area were made to West Midlands Police, figures show.

“Reports include the damaging of buses and other vehicles, thefts and fighting,” officers said. “There are several reports of people carrying knives. The dangerous and inconsiderate riding of high-powered electric motorbikes has been identified as a specific issue. The area is covered by high-quality CCTV.

“However, one issue identified by police is that perpetrators often hide their identity by covering their faces with balaclavas and scarves.”

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives local authorities the power to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

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If introduced the PSPO would be in place for three years and ban specific acts in a ‘restricted area’ covering the Chelmsley Circle-based exchange, KFC and McDonald’s fast food restaurants.

The proposed prohibitions for the PSPO are:

• Any person is prohibited from riding, cycling, or using an E-bike, E-scooter, motorbike or quad bike within the restricted area
• Groups of three or more people – gathered between 6pm and 6am – would have to leave the restricted area if suspected of causing or likely to cause a nuisance
• An ‘authorised person’ may require a person to remove a face covering in the restricted area if it is suspected the wearer is likely to cause a nuisance or disorder or harassment to others

Failure to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of a £2,500 fine.

The Conservative-led council is required to hold a public consultation before introducing the order and this was discussed at the latest meeting of the portfolio holders’ decision session on January 23.

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Agreeing to hold the consultation Coun Wazma Qais, the portfolio holder, said: “It is one of the measures that will tackle anti-social behaviour.

“I’m hoping the outcome (of the consultation) will give us that opportunity to put this in place. Hopefully it will be a good solution for hotspot areas.”

Liberal Democrats councillor Laura McCarthy added: “I was shocked at the figures. It does sound like something is needed to support the police in this area.”

Solihull Council officer Richard Staveley said the consultation was expected to last around six weeks.

“What we are anticipating doing is promoting it in the local area, speaking to local groups in the area, traders and people who use the (nearby) shopping centre,” he added.

West Midlands Police was contacted for comment.