Stephanie Balloo

A Ward End family lost its home and two cats after a fire believed to have started from a wildfire on 10 August 2026. Gzala Saddique and her four children received extensive support from neighbours and the wider community, while a GoFundMe appeal to rebuild their home surpassed £6,000 toward its £10,000 target.

West Midlands Police are appealing for information to identify men wanted for questioning after a man was assaulted and a car was damaged on Dudley Road in Wolverhampton at about 3:45 p.m. on April 19. Investigators have released images and asked anyone with information to contact police via 101 or Live Chat, quoting crime reference 20/219309/26.

A fatal collision involving three lorries and a car closed the M6 northbound between Stoke and the A500 in Staffordshire, causing six miles of congestion and delays of up to 75 minutes. The car driver died and a lorry driver was taken to hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. Staffordshire Police appealed for dashcam and CCTV footage. Separately, a two-car crash on the M5 northbound between Worcestershire junctions 7 and 8 injured one man and caused delays of around 50 minutes, although all lanes later reopened.

A driver died at the scene after a car collided with three lorries on the M6 northbound between junctions 15 and 16 near Stoke at around 4:10am on 17 August 2026. Two HGV drivers were taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with serious or potentially serious injuries, while a third was uninjured. The motorway remained closed for most of the day, causing lengthy delays and tailbacks. Staffordshire Police appealed for CCTV and dashcam footage from witnesses.

Great Britain won team gold in the women's marathon at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, while Abbie Donnelly secured bronze and became the first British woman to win a European Championship marathon medal. Finland's Alisa Vainio won the women's race in a championship-record 2:22:26, and Germany's Amanal Petros won the men's marathon, also setting a championship record. More than 1,600 athletes from 48 countries competed, with large international crowds praising Birmingham's atmosphere. Transport disruptions caused by a previous police arrest over suspected fraud had been resolved before the final events.

West Midlands Fire Service has restarted its process for helping residents return to homes affected by the Stourbridge wildfires. Residents from five specified roads must bring proof of address to a fire vehicle at the Worcester Lane and Pedmore Court Road junction, where emergency personnel will determine whether they can return, need an escorted assessment, or cannot yet go home. Residents are told not to call 999 for information and to follow instructions at the meeting point. National Grid and Cadent have restored power and gas to most properties, while crews continue managing fire damage and hotspots.

A man was shot in the leg during a disorder near the Corn Exchange pub on Amblecote Road in Brierley Hill shortly after 2 p.m. on August 15, 2026. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. West Midlands Police arrested two men and appealed for information while investigating the circumstances.

Two women aged 36 and 56 were arrested on suspicion of arson after a house and garden fire on Mount Road in Wolverhampton damaged two properties. Emergency services were alerted shortly before 7:15 p.m. on August 14, and no one was injured. The suspects remained in custody for questioning on August 15 while West Midlands Police continued its investigation and support for communities affected by fires.

Shaftmoor Lane in Acocks Green, Birmingham, was closed for more than six hours after a man in his 50s was struck by a white vehicle and then assaulted at about 7:40 p.m. on August 14. He suffered facial and shoulder injuries and was taken to hospital. West Midlands Police has launched an investigation and is asking witnesses to provide information.

A fire believed to have started as a wild fire devastated Gzala Saddique’s 23-year-old home in Ward End, destroying possessions and killing the family’s two cats. Saddique and her four children escaped, while neighbours rallied to provide practical support and a GoFundMe campaign raised more than half of its £10,000 target. She praised the West Midlands Fire Service for rescuing the cats, one of which died at the scene and the other of which was later euthanised after suffering severe injuries.

Gemma Southall is seeking urgent financial support and specialist treatment for her 15-year-old son Louis Gibson, who has autism and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and was discharged from Birmingham Children's Hospital after treatment for severe malnutrition. Louis weighed 34kg on admission and reportedly had not eaten a meal for months. His family says they are running out of options and fears his condition will worsen, while a fundraiser is collecting money for travel, specialist appointments and private therapy. The hospital says Louis was discharged only when it was considered safe, with a care plan in place, and that it will continue working with the family.

Dirty nappies and other rubbish have repeatedly been thrown into a tree outside Cygnet Court in Smethwick, attracting rats and mice and prompting privately owned flat resident Carlie-Ann Hare to raise health and environmental concerns. Hare says a mouse entered her flat and criticizes Midland Heart for not clearing the waste quickly despite residents paying monthly ground rent and maintenance charges. Midland Heart says it instructed an environmental contractor to remove the waste, arranged a further clearance after additional reports, and reminded tenants about proper waste disposal, while stating there is no evidence its tenants were responsible.

Three large grassland fires broke out across the Birmingham area on August 2, affecting Perry Hall Playing Fields, Kingfisher Park in Hay Mills and Barr Beacon. Fire crews, including eight crews at Barr Beacon and six at Perry Hall, tackled the blazes while police closed roads and restricted access. Residents were advised to avoid affected areas and keep windows and doors closed. The fires occurred after months of dry weather and drought conditions in the West Midlands, which have increased wildfire risks and pressure on emergency services.

A 13-year-old boy was knocked off his bicycle and stamped on by a group carrying weapons outside Greens Health Centre in Dudley on July 31. A local resident intervened, reportedly causing two attackers with machetes to flee, while another witness described being distressed by the incident. The boy was not seriously injured and did not require hospital treatment. West Midlands Police had made no arrests by August 2 and appealed for information.

A large grassland fire spread rapidly through Perry Hall Playing Fields in Perry Barr, Birmingham, around 12:45 p.m. on August 2, prompting warnings for the public to avoid the area. Six West Midlands Fire Service crews attended as smoke billowed over the park, while West Midlands Police liaised with firefighters. Drone footage showed a substantial section of meadow blackened and scorched; the park was also hosting families, sports activities and a European Cycle Speedway tournament.

Mahroy Stephenson, 30, has been charged with multiple offences following attacks on two police officers on Soho Road, including allegedly striking one officer with a baton and causing a head injury. He also faces charges related to an alleged assault on an officer in Selly Oak, alleged wounding of a man and woman, and the theft of a necklace and bracelet worth £9,000. He was due to appear before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 1 August.

West Midlands Police appealed for information to locate Ava, a 12-year-old girl from Cradley Heath who was last seen at 1:07 p.m. on July 31 wearing a black long-sleeved top, black shorts, white shoes and carrying a black rucksack. Members of the public who see her are urged to call 999 and quote log number 4104-310726.

Former and current residents of Oscott Gardens, a 62-bed Birmingham City Council homeless hostel in Perry Barr, describe rat and cockroach infestations, overcrowding, mould, litter, bullying, theft, safety incidents and prolonged periods without hot water. Dominique Trapszo, a single mother living there with two children, says her family has endured the conditions since August while awaiting permanent housing. A former resident said her family has since moved but remains concerned about those still waiting for homes. Birmingham City Council was approached for comment.

Birmingham barber Razwan Amin, whose low-income family struggled to afford haircuts during his childhood, is providing free haircuts to students from low-income families at his former school, Erdington Academy. Working with the school's Parent, Teacher and Friends Association, he aims to help families affected by the cost-of-living crisis while improving students' confidence and wellbeing. The scheme offers haircuts normally costing £18 and also allows Amin to inspire pupils through his own path to business success.

A self‑employed gardener from Long Compton defrauded 13 customers of more than £39,000 by demanding large upfront payments, offering fake ‘special deals,’ completing minimal work and then disappearing. After repeated excuses and failure to deliver goods or services, victims reported him to Warwickshire Police. An investigation led to 13 fraud charges, and he received a suspended 36‑month prison term, unpaid work and rehabilitation days at Warwick Crown Court. Police highlighted the distress caused to victims and thanked residents for coming forward.

A fraud operation led by Olasukanmi Owoeye used the iSpoof platform to mimic bank communications and deceive victims across several UK regions, resulting in losses of up to £277,000. Police investigations linked Owoeye, Alessandra Monaco and Muhammed Bolade-Matti to the conspiracy, leading to arrests in early 2024 and subsequent guilty pleas. Owoeye received a prison sentence of three years and nine months, while Monaco and Bolade-Matti were given suspended sentences and unpaid work orders. Authorities emphasised the distress caused to victims and noted that further proceedings will seek recovery of criminal assets.

West Midlands Police issued a CCTV appeal after repeated thefts of milk, juice and eggs from a family's doorstep on Roland Road in Lozells. Deliveries intended for the resident’s young children were stolen on three occasions over two months, prompting police to release images of a man they wish to identify. Authorities urged anyone with information to contact them, while the affected taxi driver described the scale of the stolen goods and the impact on his family.

A 29-year-old Eritrean man, Dejen Tesfay, was found dead in Handsworth Cemetery a week after telling support staff he was coping well. An inquest determined he died by suicide. Tesfay had been living in shared accommodation with support but had declined further help despite experiencing anxiety and depression. A coroner confirmed the details and timeline of events, with authorities urging awareness of available crisis support services.

Khushpreet Kaur died in March after never regaining full consciousness following a 2024 head‑on collision in Smethwick that also killed her two‑year‑old son. An inquest found her death resulted from complications linked to traumatic brain injuries sustained in the crash. The driver, Sharjeel Shahzad, who was driving a stolen car at high speed while banned and uninsured, previously admitted multiple offences and received a prison sentence of more than 15 years along with a lengthy driving ban.

A 27-year-old man, Valentino Mujic, died by suicide after repeatedly telling police and hospital staff he felt unsafe and wanted to be admitted for protection. An inquest heard that despite expressing suicidal thoughts, hearing voices, and being homeless, he was assessed by professionals as not being at immediate risk. His family said they had begged authorities to intervene. Coroner Adam Hodson ruled the death a suicide with no contributory failings by police or hospital staff, though noted minor elements of avoidability related to his homelessness. Mujic’s condition declined after eviction, and he was critically ill before a scheduled follow-up medical appointment. The coroner expressed condolences while the family voiced frustration over missed opportunities for support.

Four men were sentenced at Worcester Crown Court for a burglary in Broadwas where a home was ransacked for sentimental jewellery. Adam Beavan also received additional prison time for assaults, affray and dangerous driving linked to separate incidents involving a broken bottle, damage to a Co-op store and deliberately driving into a property. Sentences ranged from suspended terms to 35 months in custody. West Mercia Police stated the crimes caused significant distress and emphasised their commitment to addressing intrusive offences.

Police are investigating a reported rape on Queens Road in Nuneaton between 3am and 3.30am on July 5, with a 27-year-old Oxfordshire man arrested on suspicion of rape and held for questioning. Officers are appealing for witnesses as the victim receives specialist support, and information can be provided directly to police or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

A 16-year-old boy was charged with 13 offences, including burglary, robbery and weapon possession, following a series of break-ins in Solihull. Arrested by the Solihull Neighbourhood Crime Team, he appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on July 3 and was remanded in custody to reappear later in the month, according to West Midlands Police.

Police dismantled two county lines drug operations known as the Rico and Harry lines after coordinated arrests in Warwick and Leamington Spa. Peter Tegede, identified as the operator, continued dealing despite being on bail, using associates to run the networks. Officers recovered cash, phones and significant quantities of heroin, crack and cocaine. Tegede and three accomplices—Louis Steane, Jason Rodgers and Ross Myles—received prison sentences ranging from three to six years.