A heated debate unfolded at a recent Birmingham City Council meeting as Conservative councillors called for a public safety emergency declaration to address rising violent crime, while the Labour administration highlighted ongoing efforts already in place.
The Conservative group proposed a comprehensive action plan aimed at “making Birmingham safe again,” especially in light of recent stabbings in the city centre. Their plan included establishing a high street safety task force that would involve businesses and community groups to tackle violent and sexual crimes more effectively.
However, Labour councillors opposed declaring a public safety emergency, arguing the council is already prioritizing violence reduction. They accused Conservatives of politicizing the issue and amended the motion to remove the emergency declaration while acknowledging current safety initiatives.
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Conservative councillor Robert Alden expressed frustration at what he sees as inaction: “Serious crimes on our streets and politicians refusing to act undermine public confidence. Denying these problems is dangerous and a disservice to our residents.” He emphasized that their call was a unifying plea rather than a blame game.
In response, Jamie Tennant, Labour’s cabinet member for community safety, acknowledged the recent violent incidents had “shocked our city” and reaffirmed that combating violence remains a top priority. He highlighted increased collaboration with West Midlands Police and partners to reduce knife crime and violence against women and girls.
Tennant detailed recent improvements, such as doubling the number of Community Safety Officers and upgrading city centre lighting to enhance security. He also mentioned work with youth services to address the root causes of violence. The Labour administration believes these efforts are producing results, noting recent crime statistics show knife crime down by 16% and serious youth violence by over 13% in the region.
The council continues to invest in street lighting upgrades through an £8 million programme to replace old fixtures with modern LED lights. West Midlands Police have also increased patrols in the city centre, deploying specialized officers and plain-clothes teams via initiatives like Project Servator and Project Guardian Taskforce, which focus on weapon seizures and community safety.
Despite the amended motion passing, Coun Alden expressed disappointment that the council did not formally declare a public safety emergency, stressing the need for more visible safety measures and increased police patrols.
Council leader John Cotton reaffirmed the council’s commitment to a multi-faceted approach involving prevention, education, and enforcement to tackle knife crime. Both the council and police emphasized the importance of partnership working to create a safer Birmingham for all residents.