'Lawless' high street gets dedicated police team

Nicola Belle told BBC News in November that elderly customers were avoiding the beauty salon she runs because of anti-social behaviour in the area

A Birmingham high street described by traders as "lawless" has been given a dedicated police team.

Last November traders in Erdington said shoplifting and drug dealing was destroying businesses and police were failing to deal with offenders who were openly dealing and stealing products.

West Midlands Police started Operation Fearless in January to tackle the issues and now a team of six officers will have a visible presence on High Street, the force said.

More than 140 arrests have been made since the operation started and the "look and feel of the area" around High Street had improved, Det Supt Jim Munro, operation lead, said.

The operation will move to other parts of the city with the aim of reducing crime, like shoplifting, in key areas and make people feel safer.

In the 12 months up to June, a total of 26,145 shoplifting offences were recorded by the force, compared with 19,184 in the previous 12-month period.

'Constant presence'

The 36% rise is higher than the average for England and Wales over the same time frame (29%).

West Midlands Police said the six officers and a sergeant would be on regular patrol on High Street, speaking to local people as well as building relationships with businesses and partners.

"The results we've seen in Erdington speak for themselves – not just in terms of arrests and charges, but in the look and feel of the area around the high street," Mr Munro said.

"We're delighted that our work has been met with such positive feedback, and grateful to the Erdington community for their invaluable support and information.

"The new dedicated High Street team will be a constant presence in the area, and although Fearless is expanding to a new location – our Fearless officers will be using their impressive local and operational knowledge to support them."

The team started working in partnership with other officers in the town on 4 April, and has already made 17 arrests, the force said.