Westmidlands

Sunday, May 17, 2026 crime birmingham westmidlands safety statistics england community lawenforcement urban security

Recent official crime statistics have highlighted the safety levels across England’s towns and cities, with a surprising revelation about the West Midlands. Contrary to popular belief, this region—including Birmingham—ranks … Read More

Sunday, May 17, 2026 speeding motorways westmidlands enforcement traffic speedingtickets road safety police speedlimit motorists

In recent months, over 2,500 drivers in the West Midlands have been caught exceeding the UK motorway speed limit of 70mph, highlighting a serious issue with speeding across the region’s main roads. According to figures … Read More

Saturday, May 16, 2026 mcarthurglen designeroutlet retailexpansion cannock davidjackson shopping brands marksandspencer outletstores westmidlands

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands is set to expand its retail offering with new stores opening before the end of 2026, according to the centre’s manager, David Jackson. In a recent interview with … Read More

Saturday, May 16, 2026 westmidlands police prison recall fugitive manhunt publicsafety crime lawenforcement missing

West Midlands Police are urgently seeking the public’s help to locate several individuals who have been recalled to prison but have not yet returned. These men are believed to be at large across the West Midlands and … Read More

Friday, May 15, 2026 wealth westmidlands sundaytimesrichlist richest fortune business entrepreneurs ukeconomy property entrepreneurship

The Sunday Times Rich List 2026 has spotlighted the wealthiest figures in the West Midlands, showcasing a dynamic mix of established industrialists and innovative entrepreneurs. Leading the region is Lord Bamford and his … Read More

Friday, May 15, 2026 bankholiday shopping bullring merryhill thefort westmidlands retail 2026 openinghours may

May is a much-anticipated month, especially as it offers an extra long weekend without the need for annual leave. Following the May Day bank holiday, the final bank holiday on Monday, May 25, is approaching, coinciding with … Read More

Thursday, May 14, 2026 toyota theft westmidlands ford vehiclecrime cartheft security mitsubishi crimestats automotive

New data reveals a concerning spike in thefts of Toyota vehicles in the West Midlands, even as most other car brands see declines in stolen vehicle incidents. Vehicle theft in the region is generally trending downward, with a … Read More

Thursday, May 14, 2026 midlands deprivation westmidlands poverty birmingham sandwell blackcountry economic government study

A recent official government study has pinpointed the most deprived area in the Midlands, challenging common assumptions about regional poverty. Contrary to popular belief, neither Sandwell nor the Black Country tops the … Read More

Thursday, May 14, 2026 birmingham mansions heritage history architecture westmidlands estates preservation historichomes legacy

Birmingham and the wider West Midlands once boasted numerous magnificent mansions and historic homes, each telling a unique story of the region’s rich past. These grand estates, often architectural marvels and cultural … Read More

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 crime policing handsworth sohoroad operationfearless westmidlands anti-social knifecrime theft community

West Midlands Police have initiated a major crackdown on crime in the vibrant Handsworth Triangle and along the bustling Soho Road shopping district. A dedicated team of 20 officers will focus on tackling theft, drug-related … Read More

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 mcarthurglen designeroutlet westmidlands digbeth collaboration shopping streetfood cannock fashion retail

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands has ignited excitement by hinting at an upcoming collaboration with the famed Digbeth Dining Club. This announcement has delighted shoppers, many responding enthusiastically with … Read More

Monday, May 11, 2026 birmingham education attendance ofsted behaviour academy secondary performance schools westmidlands

E-ACT North Birmingham Academy in Erdington, Birmingham, has been praised for its exceptional attendance rates, placing it among the top-performing secondary schools in the city and beyond. Leaders at the school have been … Read More

Monday, May 11, 2026 sandwell gatehouse m5 westbromwich georgian history landmark westmidlands architecture heritage

Every day, tens of thousands of drivers speed past Sandwell Hall Gatehouse, making it a distinctive, if overlooked, West Midlands landmark. Its isolated position—right in the heart of a bustling motorway interchange—means few … Read More

Sunday, May 10, 2026 westmidlands police indecentexposure flashing crime publicsafety investigation community vigilance awareness

West Midlands Police have issued a warning following a sharp rise in flasher incidents across the region. In 2025 alone, authorities recorded 501 cases of indecent exposure, signaling a significant increase compared to … Read More

Sunday, May 10, 2026 ofsted education attendance behaviour leadership inspection schools improvement westmidlands walsall

Shire Oak Academy in Walsall, once rated among the worst secondary schools in the West Midlands, is showing clear signs of improvement following a recent Ofsted inspection. The school, which has around 1,300 pupils, was … Read More

Saturday, May 9, 2026 walsall education ofsted achievement leadership deprivation primaryschool westmidlands reedswood community

A primary school in Walsall has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming one of the first in the Midlands to receive ‘exceptional’ ratings under Ofsted’s new inspection framework. This achievement stands out, particularly … Read More

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 reformuk westmidlands yougov localelections birmingham greens polling politics 2026 elections

The latest YouGov poll for the 2026 local elections reveals a shifting political landscape in the West Midlands. Reform UK is emerging as a frontrunner, demonstrating a substantial surge in voter support throughout the … Read More

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 candles midlands westmidlands darkfoundry fragrance localhistory entrepreneurship luxury vogue charity

“I know many people say they ‘started in the kitchen’,” says Paul Briggs, “but for us, it was literally in our kitchen.” Four years ago, crane operator Paul was given a candle-making kit by his partner, Viki Smith. That … Read More

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 dogattacks westmidlands publicsafety dogcontrol police injuries petowners community crime 2025

The West Midlands has experienced a significant increase in dog attacks, with West Midlands Police recording 1,325 incidents involving out-of-control dogs causing injuries in 2025. This alarming figure translates to more than … Read More

Sunday, May 3, 2026 goldersgreen jewishcommunity birmingham antisemitism terrorism hatecrime communitysafety westmidlands socialcohesion violenceprevention

The Birmingham Jewish community has been left shaken and “filled with fear” following a stabbing attack in Golders Green, London, that hospitalised two Jewish men on Wednesday, April 29. Ruth Jacobs, chair of the … Read More

Saturday, May 2, 2026 westmidlands police emergencycalls responsetimes publicsafety nationalresponseweek 999calls 101calls simonfoster lawenforcement

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has praised the force for its remarkable progress in handling emergency calls more efficiently. During National Response Week of Action (20-27 April), Mr. Foster … Read More

Friday, May 1, 2026 westmidlands pensioners crime murder rape violence elderly convictions investigation birminghamlive

A recent investigation by BirminghamLive has uncovered a startling trend: hundreds of pensioners in the West Midlands have been charged with serious offences, including murder, rape, and violent attacks, over the past five … Read More

Friday, May 1, 2026 westmidlands reformuk blackcountry birmingham sandwell walsall coventry localelections politics polling

Two new polls conducted across the West Midlands have shaken up the political landscape, highlighting an unexpected surge for Reform UK in the Black Country and a closely contested battle for seats on Birmingham City Council. … Read More

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 reformuk labour birmingham sandwell coventry walsall westmidlands localelections polls election2024

Two newly released polls have shaken up the political landscape ahead of the local elections across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Experts from YouGov and AI-driven analysts at Bombe predict intense competition, especially … Read More