Is Birmingham Gangster’s Paradise?

You know the song by Coolio, but Birmingham is quickly becoming a Gangsters Paradise after this week it has been revealed that on average there is a shooting a week in Birmingham (that is reported – we know there is much more!) and West Midlands Police have to cut more than 2000 jobs.

Less police + shootings galore = Birmingham!!!!

Police have responded to 30 gun related call outs so far this year, but that does not include incidents in the streets, at the clubs and even local football matches across the city. In a local football match 3 weeks ago between a Birmingham team and a team playing at Pelsall in Walsall, the centre forward came off the pitch and called his friends to bring ‘da ting’ to settle an argument on the pitch. Police wasn’t called, but this highlights the number of incidents that are taking place on a daily basis that are not reported about in the media, as the streets seem to police themselves.

Below is an extract from the Sunday Mercury report:

POLICE are being called out to a gun incident in Birmingham on average once a week, the Sunday Mercury can reveal.

Chillingly, gangland sources say there is no end in sight for the plague of firearms violence.

And one Birmingham dad, whose son was left fighting for life after being shot in the back in broad daylight by gang members, fears the streets are not safe.

“I’m not surprised by the fact that there’s been 30 gun incidents. I don’t think enough is being done, it is still a huge problem,” said the 52-year-old, who asked not to be named.

It’s very scary out there. I didn’t bring my lad into this world to see him gunned down in the street.

“There seems to be an attitude that if they’re just shooting each other then it’s OK – sooner or later the ones who did it will be wiped out – but innocent people are getting hurt.

“There’s 30 incidents that we know about, but that’s probably only half the story. A lot goes unreported because these lads don’t want to go to hospital or get involved with the police.

“Lives are wasted on both sides, young lads are getting killed or maimed for life, and the ones doing the shooting are getting sent to prison for 20 years or more. Families are hurting every way you look at it.

“Nothing has changed. If anything, it is getting worse.

His son was attacked by the teen B515 street gang, who wear black and white bandanas and have posted boasts online about drug dealing and carrying guns. They are part of a wave of teenage gangs operating in some areas of Birmingham. [ENDS]

With such a high number of shootings and guns on the streets of Birmingham – The Government help the situation by this week announcing that West Midlands Police will be cutting over 2000 jobs in the area. Of course these won’t all be police officers, as some will be reception staff, IT workers or admin staff working for the police. But the cuts must have an effect on the number of police on the streets in the area of Birmingham and how police do their job (maybe they will have less time to harass young black men driving and focus on other things!).

Union members have warned that public safety is being put at risk by “needlessly severe spending cuts” in the police.

Charlie Sarell, Unison regional officer, said: “Not only do these cuts mean a loss of 1,100 police officers but the loss of 1,200 police staff as well.

“Police staff include a wide range of important jobs such as forensic scene investigators, police community support officers, inquiry officers, communication/999 operator, coroners officer, force identification unit assistant, intelligence analyst, summons and warrant officer and many other important roles.”

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police explained that the numbers given by Mr Sims were just one of several possible scenarios.

She said the force would not be commenting further until it was aware of the government’s spending review outcome.

Below is a break down of the 30 reported shootings so far this year (upto 22 September 2010):

SEPTEMBER 22 – Small Heath, Birmingham – Street sealed after reports of gunfire.

SEPTEMBER 21 – Nechells, Birmingham -Cops seize haul of weapons.

SEPTEMBER 2 – Redditch, Worcestershire – Armed robbery.

SEPTEMBER 2 – London – Four Birmingham men arrested over gun find while at Notting Hill carnival.

AUGUST 9 – Acocks Green, Birmingham – Armed raid on bookies.

AUGUST 9 – Streetly, Birmingham – Armed robbers attack OAP.

AUGUST 2 – Harborne, Birmingham – Gun-wielding robbers attack Co-op staff.

JULY 23 – Dudley, West Midlands – Gunshots fired at windows in a block of flats.

JULY 22 – Handsworth, Birmingham – Road closed after reports of gunfire.

JULY 17 – Bordesley Green, Birmingham – Running street battle between gun gangs.

JULY 16 – Chelmsley Wood, Solihull – Two gangs open fire on each other.

JULY 9 – Edgbaston, Birmingham – Cops seize gun from teenager.

JUNE 24 – Handsworth Wood, Birmingham – Man shot in the groin.

JUNE 21 – Aston, Birmingham – Police called to reports of shots fired.

JUNE 14 – Wolverhampton, West Midlands – Shots fired in Temple Street.

JUNE 13 – Digbeth, Birmingham – Four injured in Custard Factory shooting.

JUNE 8 – Hamstead, Birmingham – Man shot in the stomach.

MAY 30 – Winson Green, Birmingham – Man arrested on gun charges.

MAY 24 – Lozells, Birmingham – Shooting outside fast food restaurant.

MAY 20 – Highgate, Birmingham – Man, 22, shot in the street.

MAY 17 – Ladywood, Birmingham – Gun blast heard on King Edward Road.

MAY 6 – Sparkhill, Birmingham – Shots fired through a window.

MAY 5 – Nechells, Birmingham – Weapon fired on Compton Road.

APRIL 29 – Dudley, West Midlands – Gun used in armed raid.

APRIL 23 – Hockley, Birmingham – House raided by gun-wielding crooks.

APRIL 14 – Nechells, Birmingham – Gun found by detectives.

MARCH 23 – Wolverhampton, West Midlands – Woman found with weapons cache.

MARCH 12 – Handsworth, Birmingham – Gun brandished on bus.

FEBRUARY 3 – Wolverhampton, West Midlands – Gun stolen in house raid.

JANUARY 12 – Handsworth, West Midlands – Guns used in cemetery raid.

Keep it locked to Supatrax for further info and the latest news.