Emma Walker

A 19-year-old man, Raid Alamansuly, was arrested after reportedly chasing someone with a machete on Birmingham’s crowded Broad Street nightlife strip. He pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article and class B drugs and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing. Footage of the incident showed revellers reacting as police pursued him, prompting concern about safety in the city centre.

Drainage renewal work at Babbinswood between Chirk and Gobowen is disrupting rail services between Wrexham General and Shrewsbury from August 17 to 30. Services linking North Wales, Chester, Shrewsbury, Birmingham International and Cardiff Central will be diverted or operate to revised timetables, while buses will replace trains between Wrexham General and Shrewsbury. Passengers are advised to check journeys before travelling.

A man’s gold necklace with rings attached was stolen in Brierley Hill after a woman approached him on The Breeze near Moor Street at about 12:45 p.m. on August 4, offered to sell him gold and then hugged him. West Midlands Police described the woman as wearing all-black clothing and a head scarf and appealed for information under crime reference number 20/350511/26.

The Hadley family of Kidderminster has been reunited with Idzik, their cat, nearly 11 months after he went missing. A veterinary practice identified him by scanning his microchip after someone brought him in, despite his collar and identification tag having been removed. The family is grateful to the veterinary team and hopes the experience encourages people to have stray or apparently lost cats scanned for microchips.

A member of the public found the body of a Rottweiler beneath a bridge near Kingshurst Brook on Bosworth Drive in Chelmsley Wood. The dog had suffered injuries before its death, and RSPCA officer Lydia Andrews said investigators believe it was killed elsewhere and its body discarded at the site. The RSPCA is asking anyone with information to contact its appeals line, citing incident 01852950. The charity also reported a 64% rise in summer animal-cruelty calls over five years, including 6,322 calls in June, July and August 2025.

The article highlights eight outdoor swimming and water-play destinations across the West Midlands, including open-water venues, lidos, splash pads, a country-park lake and family paddling pools. Locations include Midlands Open Water, Droitwich Spa Lido, Willenhall Memorial Park, Virgin Active Solihull, Swan Pool, Tettenhall Pool, Cliff Lakes and Dosthill Quarry. It provides the nearest railway station for each site and notes facilities, booking requirements and family-oriented features. West Midlands Railway recommends using designated swimming areas and following local water-safety advice.

Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant in Birmingham is offering a 60-minute private karaoke room experience for up to 15 people for £29, reduced from £45, with VIP members paying £26.10. Rooms include karaoke equipment, PA systems, seating and themed décor, while an optional Pan-Asian buffet is available separately. The venue is located on Hurst Street in Chinatown, and advance booking is recommended.

A 15-year-old boy was found with a gunshot wound on Newtown Row in Newtown after reportedly being shot at a nearby park on July 23. His injuries were not life-threatening. West Midlands Police arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder, and he remained in custody while officers reviewed CCTV and appealed for witnesses.

Six fire crews are tackling a grass fire at Pelsall North Common off Wood Lane in Walsall. The blaze is one of several recent fires in the region, which is experiencing officially declared drought conditions and its fourth heatwave of the year, with little rain. West Midlands Fire Service urged people to avoid the area.

The former Black Cock Inn on Green Lane in Walsall Wood was severely damaged by a fire early on July 29, leaving blackened beams and roof tiles. Four fire engines and a hydraulic aerial platform attended, while roads were closed and National Grid isolated the building’s electricity. The pub had been derelict for about six years and had been earmarked for redevelopment into 13 homes.

More than 30 motorhomes, caravans and 4x4s formed an unauthorised encampment beside a children’s play area at Swanshurst Park in Kings Heath, Birmingham, about a month after a previous encampment at the same site. Nearby families say they are worried about using the park, while Birmingham City Council says it will take steps to recover the land and points to available transit sites and plots for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community.

The A38 Tyburn Road near Salford Circus in Birmingham remains closed in both directions after a serious collision. West Midlands Police and emergency services are carrying out recovery and forensic work, while authorities warn that the closure may continue for an extended period and cause significant delays. Details about the vehicles involved and any injuries have not been released.

A family visit to the Gladiators Experience at Birmingham NEC delivers a high‑energy, immersive set of challenges inspired by the show, offering activities suitable for both adults and children, including scaled‑down versions for younger participants and a soft‑play area for toddlers. The experience combines physical games, competition through score‑tracking wristbands, and nostalgic elements such as costumes and memorabilia. Despite being exhausting and loud, it is presented as a fun, engaging and worthwhile family outing, enhanced by a promotional discount available through summer.

SEA LIFE Birmingham offers admission from £16.63, providing access to more than 2,000 marine creatures, including sea otters, penguins, and a 360-degree ocean tunnel. The fully accessible, family‑friendly attraction is located in Brindleyplace and features interactive experiences such as a rockpool touch area, with pricing varying by date.

West Midlands Railway warns passengers that services between Birmingham New Street and Bescot Stadium or Walsall will be busier than usual ahead of the 7:30 pm match between Walsall and Aston Villa, advising travellers to check their journeys in advance.

Police are seeking information after an unprovoked assault on a woman in West Bromwich High Street on 13 June, releasing an image of a man they wish to identify and asking witnesses to contact them quoting a specific crime number.

A deep partial solar eclipse on August 12 will cover more than 90 percent of the sun across the West Midlands and Shropshire, creating a twilight effect despite totality occurring only over Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. The event will be the region’s most significant eclipse since 1999, with maximum coverage around 7:11pm. Viewers are advised to use certified solar viewing protection, as ordinary sunglasses are unsafe.

A family visit to Minecraft: Meet the Mobs at Alton Towers highlights a well‑designed themed trail with character meet‑and‑greets, interactive features and an in‑game reward that keeps children engaged throughout the day. The experience fits easily into a normal theme‑park visit, offering additional entertainment without dominating the schedule. The event is praised for its atmosphere, themed food, and the ability to explore more of the park while completing the trail. Visitors are encouraged to pick up the trail card early and consider an overnight stay to extend the fun with Splash Landings Waterpark.

Thousands of young people in the West Midlands will gain access to Pol-Ed, an educational platform offering crime prevention resources, lesson plans and support for teachers and police. Originally developed by West Yorkshire Police, the resource is being expanded regionally by the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership, with more than 1,000 users already registered. Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster endorsed the initiative, emphasising education’s role in preventing crime and urging schools to adopt the platform.

Two members of an international people‑smuggling network were convicted for smuggling Vietnamese migrants into the UK in dangerous conditions. Duc Quang Ta received an eight‑year prison sentence for moving 22 migrants, while Sarfaraz Sardarzehi received a suspended two‑year sentence for assisting three others. The investigation by the National Crime Agency revealed the group used coded language and transported migrants in HGVs, coordinating across Europe, South East England and the Midlands. Both men were found guilty of people smuggling and money laundering after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, with law enforcement condemning their exploitation of migrants for profit.

Engineers have closed the Bickenhill Bridge at M42 Junction 6 after identifying significant structural deterioration, following months of inspections and repeated breaches of an existing weight limit. Traffic can still travel on the M42 beneath the structure, but all bridge crossings are suspended while detailed assessments continue. Diversions are in place, and the disruption is expected to affect travel to major regional destinations including Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Birmingham Business Park. National Highways is coordinating with local organisations and monitoring the structure daily, with no reopening timeframe yet established.

Ministers are considering an additional bank holiday if England win the World Cup, with July 24 identified as the likely date. Keir Starmer suggested the idea is possible, while Andy Burnham offered a more cautious view and Kemi Badenoch expressed opposition, citing impacts on the private sector. Uncertainty remains over whether any holiday would apply only to England or across the UK.

A new business, Dixon's Butchers, is preparing to open in the former Stan Knowles premises on Hurst Hill in Coseley after the longstanding butcher closed earlier in the month following 45 years of service. Window signage indicates a reopening under new ownership along with a forthcoming hot food counter, though no date has been announced. The previous owners thanked customers for decades of support, and the site is set to continue operating as a butcher serving the local community.

Severn Trent confirmed that no hosepipe ban is currently in place despite a third UK heatwave and rising water consumption. The company asked customers to reduce usage by opting for watering cans instead of sprinklers and reusing paddling pool water. Water demand has sharply increased, stretching peak usage hours and triggering the first water‑resource alert in north Staffordshire, though no restrictions have been imposed. Severn Trent says it is working round the clock to maintain supply and urges residents to be mindful of water use during the prolonged hot, dry period.

A Staffordshire woman spent months tracking down an original Alton Towers swan boat after the one displayed outside her new home was sold before she moved in. After contacting owners across the country, she persuaded the licensee of a Walsall bar to sell his swan boat, which had been used as a stage prop. The rare boat was transported to her village and now sits in her garden, where it has become a favourite of her young daughter. Despite their rising value, she plans to keep it permanently as a restored local landmark.

Newly released footage reveals a police officer being set on fire during severe violence by Legia Warsaw supporters ahead of a 2023 Europa Conference League match at Villa Park. Officers faced 90 minutes of attacks involving flares, debris and missiles, resulting in injuries to police personnel and animals. Eight men have pled guilty to violent disorder or affray and will be sentenced in December. West Midlands Police praised the bravery and coordinated response of the 300 officers involved while continuing to build evidence against those responsible.

Floral tributes and messages continue to grow on Clarence Street in Wolverhampton following the fatal stabbing of 27-year-old Brad Thomas. Two men, Joseph Wills Jr and Joseph Wills Sr, have been charged in connection with the incident and have appeared in court. Brad Thomas’s family described him as a loving son, father and brother. Police confirmed two other individuals arrested earlier have been released on bail as enquiries continue and appealed for further information from the public.

A serious collision closed the A46 southbound in Warwickshire for more than 18 hours between the A45 near Coventry and Stoneleigh Road while police conducted an investigation. National Highways reported that investigation work was nearing completion late Wednesday morning, after which vehicle recovery would begin. Traffic officers and contractors supported police with management and diversions sending southbound drivers via the A46, A429 and Stoneleigh Road before rejoining the route.

Fire crews responded to a blaze at a disused shop in Illeybrook Square, Bartley Green, with six units ultimately deployed as the incident escalated. Residents were advised to avoid the area due to road closures and ongoing operations. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains unknown as emergency services continued work on the scene.

Valencia is highlighted as an ideal summer destination positioned directly in the path of totality for a rare August 12 solar eclipse. The city offers beaches, historic sites, bike-friendly streets, extensive cultural venues and major summer events including the FAR festival, Valencia International Jazz Festival and Medusa Sunbeach Festival. It is accessible via twice-weekly Ryanair flights from East Midlands Airport.