Silent Crime: We visited Lozells Road in Birmingham where petty theft seems to be the norm
Lozells Road has become linked with petty theft, a silent crime wave that the local community has come to accept as the norm
Outside a local church turned community centre, a mentor from the Asian Resource Centre, who wished to remain anonymous, reflected on the daily challenges she faces working on Lozells Road.
“It’s like living in a constant state of alert. Every time someone leaves, I make sure to lock the door behind them, for my protection and theirs.”
The neighbourhood has not been immune to crime. Locals have reported a series of petty thefts occurring on Lozells road.
One local said: "People’s purses are getting snatched, cars are being broken into, and shoplifting is rampant. I’m not sure how far they will go to report it to the police because it’s sadly become the norm. Many of us have taken it upon ourselves to protect ourselves from the bad things that happen on the streets.”
One shop owner, who also wished to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisals, said: “Of course we are fed up.
“The shoplifters usually arrive and look for any potential blind spots. They quickly grab what they want and make a quick exit.
“I approach them nicely and ask ‘can I help you’ to avoid anything”
The shop owner explained that the primary objective for his shop is to avoid any confrontation that could escalate into violence, ensuring everyone’s safety.
There has been a sharp rise in incidents of shoplifting across the West Midlands, during the cost-of-living crisis, official figures show.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that shoplifting offences increased by 38% in the area covered by West Mercia Police, and by 34% in the West Midlands Police area in the 12 months up to September 2023.
Shoplifting offences have also increased by 20% in Warwickshire and 12% in Staffordshire.
West Midlands Police has urged businesses to report all crimes.
Along Lozells Road and its side streets, many locals are now taking precautions, such as paying attention to people around them and waiting to cross streets away from the curb. House keys are being kept in coat pockets and valuables are being left at home.
Many residents have lived there for over 20 years, shop at the same grocery stores, drop their children off at school, and stop to chat on the corners.
With petty theft hitting the streets and shops daily, a mentor for the Asian Resource Centre has been tirelessly working to support the community amidst this turmoil.
The Asian Resource Centre regularly books St Silas’ Church on Lozells Road to host activities aimed at keeping the community particularly the elderly active and safe. These sessions include yoga, arts and crafts, and other engaging and educational activities that provide a sense of normalcy and security for the Lozells residents.
St Silas’ Church, a Grade II listed building, has become a sanctuary for many.
The church’s history and its role in the community have made it a beacon of hope during these troubling times.
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The Association’s efforts to maintain a safe and welcoming environment at the church are commendable, offering a much-needed respite for those affected by the recent crimes.
The mentor added: “We make sure each person feels safe and assured.”
“If it gets too dark in the evening when the sessions are over, we make sure to drop them off or order a taxi, make sure someone is going to pick them up, anything that can be done to make them feel protected. If there are two or three of them together, then you feel a bit easier.
“If alone, you think, okay, someone is walking behind you, you feel a bit scared. So we want to avoid that.”
“The clients come here to feel a sense of normalcy and a breath of fresh air from their life. In the last five years, the crimes here seem to have peaked on the Lozells road, according to locals and coming to the community centre brings that community feel they enjoy so much.
“We like to empower women, or just the community, the BME community.”
“I don’t know what people can do to keep the neighbourhood safe, but we try our best to keep them safe here.”
The epidemic of Silent Crime
Our campaign aims to amplify the voices of victims and delve deeper into the crime issues affecting Birmingham.
How few crimes end with somebody being held to account is staggering. An offender was brought to justice in only 10% of reported crimes in 2023.
That's bad enough but the key phrase there is 'reported crimes'. Research shows that we only bother to tell police about four out of 10 crimes.
To force change, we need to unite and remind ourselves that these 'little' crimes are not acceptable. You should be safe and feel safe at work, at home, in the park and in our own neighbourhoods.
We need you to tell us your stories and we, on your behalf, will take them to Downing Street.
It's time to find our voice and put an end to Silent Crime.
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