Police have released what is believed to be the first footage of a ‘relay crime’ in the West Midlands that allows thieves to drive off in vehicles without needing to even see the owner’s keys. The video shows two men pulling up outside the victim’s house, both carrying relay boxes. The devices are capable of…

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has joined West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership’s Restorative Justice programme – and their work is already seeing results. A groundbreaking scheme teaching young people the error of their ways rather than putting them before the courts has got the firefighters on board. This scheme cuts reoffending by identifying youngsters who…

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Solihull and Birmingham today. Prince William and Catherine were given a tour of the Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing plant, and visited the Land Rover Experience site, where they met mountain rescue volunteers who use the company’s off-road vehicles – they then each took a car on an off-road…

A ‘wonderful and caring’ dad and grandad took his own life just hours after being assessed by a mental health team who deemed him ‘not at serious risk’. Marlon Demaine was assessed three times by different mental teams in the 36 hours before his suicide at his Chelmsley Wood home. An inquest at Birmingham’s Coroner’s…

The borough’s unsung heroes have been recognised at the annual Solihull Civic Honours awards ceremony. Throughout the year, people nominated Solihull residents who have made the borough a better place. The judging panel of councillors, officers and representatives from community groups were then left with the tough task of choosing this year’s winners. The lucky…

Robin Hood Cemetery and Crematorium will be fully reopened to the public next week following a period of closure to carry out improvement works. The site, which recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary, has had three new cremators installed and the chapel has been refurbished and redecorated. In addition, the welfare and operational room facilities, ash…

Solihull Council will be using nine new gritting lorries to keep the borough’s main roads safe and free from ice during the Winter months. Balfour Beatty has been appointed as the main contractor to provide the gritting trucks and operatives on behalf of Solihull Council. Their trucks are equipped with tracking equipment and will provide…

A brazen trio of would-be motorcycle thieves rode off empty-handed after an off-duty police officer leapt into action in Solihull town centre. The men struck at lunchtime in the middle of Mell Square which was busy with shoppers and office workers. Described as aged between 18-22 years-old, the gang wore helmets and roared three abreast…

A brand new residential and nursing home in Chelmsley Wood was officially opened by the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Stuart Davis on Wednesday 8th November. ‘Chelmund’s Court’ located in Chelmund’s Cross Village Centre, is a purpose-built 73-bed home for older people with dementia, run by Runwood Homes Group alongside Solihull Council. Solihull Council has commissioned…

The Lasan Group are planning to open a second Fiesta del Asado restaurant in Birmingham. The new restaurant will be housed on Stratford Road in Shirley and will also host live music nights. The group opened their first flagship Fiesta del Asado on Hagley Road in 2012 to huge critical acclaim. Billed as Argentina’s first…