Good Evening

Here is the latest crime update from the St Alphege and Blythe Neighbourhoos Policing Team.

St Alphege 12th April – 20th April 2025

Burglaries

Between 3:08am and 3:40am on Tuesday 15th April a burglary occurred on KINGSBROOK DRIVE. 3 offenders have jumped over the side gate and attempted to force open the rear patio doors. Unable to force these doors they have then snapped the lock on the side door and gained entry to the kitchen. Once inside they have searched the kitchen and conservatory and found the keys to a black BMW X5 and silver MERCEDES 300 which they have then stolen from the driveway. Both vehicles fitted with tracker and located on roads in Solihull and Birmingham.

Vehicle Crime

At 11:30pm on  Monday 14th a blue BMW M3 was stolen from SANDHILLS CRESCENT after offenders approached the property and used a relay device allowing access to the vehicle.

Other crimes

A number of other crimes have been reported us over this period such as shoplifting, assaults, criminal damage, coercive and controlling behaviour and domestic related assaults.

A gents bike that was locked was stolen from the RAMADA hotel after the lock had been cut through.

GOOD NEWS

There will be a beat surgery at SMITHTONS Food Market on Prospect Lane 10:30am to 11:30am on Sunday 27th April.

St Alphege and Blythe officers have recovered a stolen vehicle that had been stolen from Shirley.

A total of 12 vehicles were recorded speeding on a speed watch session on WIDNEY LANE. All registered keepers have been written to.

CRIME PREVENTION

If your vehicle is keyless entry then consider using a FARADAY pouch to put your keys in. These block the signals that are picked up by scanners. 

With the nicer weather and lighter evenings now upon us, more of us will be keen to get back on our bikes. Please ensure that you have a good quality lock if you plan on leaving your bike unattended. A D lock is one such type of lock. Bike theft generally increases with the better weather as people start to get out on them more.

Always check your FOB HAS DONE ITS JOB and has locked your vehicle. Offenders are out there at night trying the handles looking for insecure vehicles.

Don’t leave valuables in unattended vehicles.

Please consider a good steering lock for your vehicles, and check that your vehicle is locked before you walk away from it.

If you are going to be out when it gets darker please consider timer switches for your lamps. There are also other devices that do the same job that can be linked to wifi. 

Don’t leave your house in darkness, this is a clear sign that the house could be empty.

Remember, crime prevention is all about making it difficult for offenders to break in to your property or steal your vehicles. If they have to spend more time or make more noise than they want to they may give up and look elsewhere. 

Please consider anti-snap locks to all outside doors. Look for at least 3 stars and the Kitemark when purchasing them.

Put wheelie bins at the rear of your property away from gates and fences if you can. These can be used as a means to get over your fence and into your rear garden. 

If you have a side gate or a fence bordering your garden then think about something called PRIKA STRIP. This is strips of hard rubber spikes that can be run along flat surfaces such as gates, fences and roofs, anybody attempting to climb on or over will find it difficult to put their hands on the surface due to these spikes.

Tamper proof screws for number plates are a good idea to protect number plates from being stolen.

Pickpockets and purse dippers are active in the town centre. Always make sure handbags are zipped up,never leave your handbag or purse unattended on a shopping trolley, pushchair or wheelchair. Always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you when withdrawing cash. A simple tactic against this type of crime is to attach small bells to your purse so that they jingle when purses are being moved.

Please take 5 mins to read about ways you can prevent burglary and vehicle theft

www.westmidlands.police.uk/search?q=Burglary

www.westmidlands.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/

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