Laws available to local councils to deal with traveller encampments are “failing”, Solihull residents have been told. Councillor Tony Dicicco (Con, Meriden) said that he wanted to see a change in legislation, which would prevent groups from “criss-crossing” the borough and moving straight to another site nearby as soon as they had been evicted. A…

A burglary gang has been jailed after West Midlands Police connected them to a spate of violent break-ins across Solihull and Birmingham. Daniel Toms and Adil Iqbal (pictured) led a four-strong group that forced their way into properties and made off with jewellery, electrical and other valuables. During one Moseley break-in they swiped items worth…

An initiative designed to curb knife crime in the region will be rolled out to Solihull “as soon as possible”. Yesterday (Monday 21st May), West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson unveiled the latest “weapon surrender bin” in Oldbury. There are now 15 of the containers in-situ around the region, with facilities having already…

A consignment of jewellery which arrived into Birmingham Airport has been seized by Solihull Council’s Trading Standards officers after tests revealed it contained harmful substances. They were alerted to potentially unsafe goods coming from China by border authorities so officers intercepted the consignment to investigate. Documents accompanying the jewellery suggested it was very cheap –…

Solihull Police are investigating a shooting incident after a man was reportedly shot at on St Bernard’s Road in Olton on Sunday. A spokesperson for Solihull Police said: “We are investigating a report that a gun was fired in St Bernards Road, Olton on 20 May at around 7.40pm. “It was reported that the 24-year-old…

A woman’s body has been found in the canal in Shirley. The discovery was made by a dog walker just off High Street, Solihull Lodge around 8am this morning. The woman has not been identified and her death is being treated as unexplained. Statement from West Midlands Police: “The body of a woman was found…

Over 100 employees from npower’s Solihull office took part in 5k and 10km fun runs in Tudor Grange Park on Wednesday 16th May to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, npower’s charity partner of 14 years. During the run, which is in its 7th year, the teams raised £3,000 for Macmillan, which npower matched pound…

Everyone Active, the trading name for Sports & Leisure Management Ltd (SLM), has been awarded a 10-year contract by Solihull Council to deliver its leisure services. The partnership will see Everyone Active managing North Solihull Sports Centre and Tudor Grange Leisure Centre from 1st June 2018. A spokesperson for SMBC said: “Everyone Active brings 30…

Staff at Jaguar Land Rover’s plant in Solihull have learnt today they will be leaving the factory during May and June. Temporary staff working through the Manpower agency have been receiving emails from the luxury car brand detailing when the end of their contracts will come. Jaguar Land Rover announced in April that it planned…

Families and carers in Solihull are being encouraged to access a new specialist collection of books, stories and resources to support children’s mental health and wellbeing. A new Reading Den opened today (Monday 14th May) at Chelmsley Wood Library. The Den provides specialist books, stories and resources to promote mental health wellbeing for parents, carers…