Sutton Coldfield flower beds

Dear Resident,

We wanted to update you, as a group of boys who were caught on video damaging flower beds in Sutton Coldfield, have worked to put things right after they were identified by our Dedicated Neighbourhood Officers.

The incident, which happened last month, was captured on video and attracted millions of views on social media.

Our Sutton Trinity neighbourhood team set to work to investigate immediately and identified three teenage boys suspected of being responsible.

Once they were identified, the officers dealt with them appropriately and worked with their parents who agreed that a restorative approach would be beneficial to them.

On Wednesday (12 August) the boys returned to the town centre with the Dedicated Neighbourhood Officers and partners from Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council and spent more than 90 minutes replanting the flowers they had damaged, helping restore the beds to their original condition.

Sergeant Graham Rule, from the Sutton Trinity team, said: “We take damage to our town centre seriously, and we understand why this incident and the subsequent video caused so much concern within the community.

“However, policing is not just about punishment and criminalisation, and we worked hard with these boys and their families to make sure they fully understood the consequences of their actions – leaving them in no doubt that they would need to make amends.

“I hope the experience of working together and replanting the flowers stays with them, and they can learn from their mistakes going forward.”

Olive O’Sullivan, Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council Chief Executive, added: “We were disappointed to see the flower beds damaged, as they are a striking feature in our town centre, enjoyed by residents, businesses, and visitors.

“We’re grateful to our neighbourhood policing team for their continued work in keeping Sutton Coldfield as safe and welcoming as possible, and this constructive approach shows what can be achieved by working together.”