Man arrested over dumping of pig’s heads at a Solihull community centre

Officers investigating the dumping of four pig’s heads on the doorstep of a Solihull community centre have arrested a man this morning (10/06).

The 34-year-old was arrested from an address in The Radleys, Sheldon at around 1:00am.

He is currently being held on suspicion of carrying out a religiously aggravated public order offence.

The animals’ remains were left outside the centre on Hermitage Road on Sunday 12th April – and police were alerted to the find by one of the centre’s trustees.

As part of the on-going investigation officers have spoken to local people, reviewed CCTV footage and secured forensic evidence from the scene.

Chief Superintendent Alex Murray, from Solihull police station, said: “Solihull has a hard-earned reputation as a place where people from different backgrounds have really strong bonds.

“It is an area where communities are respectful and considerate of one another and when that harmony is disrupted by the actions of an ignorant minority, people should rest assured we will take action to ensure justice is served.

“In this case, a huge amount of effort has been involved in trying to find the arrested man, with addresses being tried again and again without let up. There will be no tolerance of any type of hate crime here in Solihull and we will do all we can to trace anyone we suspect of being involved in it.”

For further information on hate crimes – including how to report incidents – visit: www.report-it.org.uk

Read more: http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/latest-news/news.aspx?id=3123

* UPDATE: In a short hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court today (11/06), Carl Stephens, 34, denied committing a racially-aggravated public order offence. He has been remanded in custody. The case was committed to Birmingham Crown Court, where Stephens will appear on 18th September for a plea hearing.