Dear Resident,

First newsletter of the new year, the Handsworth Wood Policing team would like to take a moment to wish all of our readers / community a very Happy New Year. May 2025 bring you joy, success and new opportunities. Here’s to a fresh start filled with positive moments and achievements. We look forward to continuing our work together and making this year a great one.

Local Crime:

Here are the crime updates for the Handsworth Wood area from 01/01/2025 and 27/01/2025.

Oxhill Road – Theft of a motor vehicle – Between 4.45am and 10.41pm 01/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, locked and unattended Volvo C30. Offenders gained entry and stole vehicle. 

Linchmere Road – Burglary - Between 9pm and 9.55pm on 03/01/2025, unknown persons have approached property. Gaining entry via the back door by smashing glass to the left of the door. Offenders were potentially disturbed by occupant who was upstairs and shouted “OI.” Offenders escaped the same way as they entered the property. 

The Leverretts – Theft of a motor vehicle – Between 10.45pm and 11pm on 03/01/2025, unknown persons have approached a secure, parked and unattended Peugeot Expect. Offenders gained entry to vehicle by forcing open side panel door. Items stolen strimmer and lawn mower.

Wood Lane – Theft of a motor vehicle – Between 7.30pm and 9.20pm on 03/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and unattended Mercedes Sprinter. Offenders gained entry to vehicle by unknown means and stole it. Vehicle contained various power tools. 

Hollycroft Road – Theft from a motor vehicle – Between 2am and 2.05am on 06/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and locked Ford Kuga. Offenders gained entry to vehicle by smashing drivers side window. Offenders stole two bank cards and driving licence. 

Farcroft Avenue – Other criminal damage to a vehicle – Between 4pm on 04/01/2025 and 8am on 06/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and unattended Ford Fiesta. Offenders smashed rear window, they also damaged locks, bonnet and front bumper. 

Dorothy Gardens, Wellington Road – Theft of a motor vehicle – Between 10am on 06/01/2025 and 8.20am on 07/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and unattended Nissan Qashqai. Offenders gained entry and stole vehicle by unknown means.

Endwood Court Road – Theft from a motor vehicle – Between 9.30pm on 07/01/2025 and 08/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and unattended Citroen Dispatch. Offenders gained entry to vehicle by using an unknown implement to open passengers’ door. Offenders stole numerous power tools. 

Windermere Road – Burglary – Between 1pm and 1.50pm on 08/01/2025, unknown persons approached property and gained entry to porch. Offenders stole two parcels. It is believed that the porch could have been left insecure.

Handsworth Wood Road – Burglary – Between 4pm and 4.25pm on 10/01/2025, Occupant returned home to find the front window smashed and broken and they saw the offenders inside. Occupant phoned police and offenders detained.

Craythorne Avenue – Theft from a motor vehicle – Between 12.01am on 01/01/2025 and 11.59pm on 10/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and unattended Mercedes C220. Offenders removed and stolen a large plastic grill / vent from the rear windscreen by unknown means. 

The Leveretts – Theft from a motor vehicle – Between 12am and 10:15am on 14/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and unattended Peugeot 308. Offenders gained entry to vehicle by smashing passengers side window by unknown means. Offenders stole passengers’ side front headlight. 

Regents Road – Theft from a motor vehicle – Between 4.51am and 5am on 14/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and unattended Peugeot. Offenders gained access to vehicle by smashing passengers’ side front window. Headlight was stolen and vehicle was left with bumper hanging off. 

Camp Lane – Burglary – Between 7.30pm and 7.51pm on 15/01/2025, unknown offenders have smashed windows at the rear of the property using a brick. Offenders entered property and conducted a search. Costume jewellery and gold bangles taken. 

Albion Road – Burglary – Between 7.40pm and 7.58pm on 17/01/2025, unknown have used a brick damage back door in an attempt to gain entry. Offenders smashed window panel out of back door with a brick. Not sure if anything was taken.

West Avenue – Burglary – Between 1.20pm and 1.52pm on 16/01/2025, unknown persons have approached property and gained access to porch by unknown means. Offenders stole two parcels from inside porch.

Inglenook Drive – Burglary – Between 10.45am and 7pm on 18/01/2025, unknown persons have approached property via the rear garden and entered through the rear door. Offenders have searched the property and stole cash to the amount of £1000. 

Leopold Avenue – Theft of a motor vehicle – Between 7pm on 19/01/2025 and 5.15am on 20/01/2025, unknown person approached a secure, parked and unattended Ford Fiesta. Offenders gained entry to vehicle by unknown means and stole it. 

Sandwell Road – Theft of a motor vehicle -Between 2am and 4am on 21/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and unattended Mercedes Sprinter Van. Offenders gained entry to vehicle and stole it by unknown means. 

Endwood Court Road – Theft from a motor vehicle – Between 10pm on 15/01/2025 and 7am on 16/01/2025, unknown persons approached a secure, parked and unattended BMW M140i. Offenders gained entry to vehicle by unknown means (no damage cause, doors left open.) Offenders stole a new, unboxed iPhone 16 pro max. 

Good news:

Get involved.
Streetwatch is a community patrol initiative that helps you make a difference where you live. Street watch gives you and your community an opportunity to keep your area safe, including just walking round your neighbourhood, which can really help. Local police keep in regular contact with street watch members to share information and work in partnership with you.
If you are interested in taking part in a Streetwatch within the Lozells and East Handsworth Area area you can contact the team on lozells@westmidlands.police.uk or streetwatch@westmidlands.police.uk

Crime prevention:

Vehicle crime:

Preventing car and vehicle theft | Crime Prevention | West Midlands Police

 Checklist for securing your home:

Checklist for securing your home when you leave it | Crime Prevention | West Midlands Police

For more advice from West Midlands Police visit https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/police-forces/west-midlands-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/27-station-road/

Crimestoppers:

If you have concerns in your area and wish to report any issues anonymously please contact www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers guarantees 100% anonymity.