Updates on Thursday 4 February 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
John Bray
BBC Midlands Today
If you have just heard the news of the warehouse robbery bid that led to the fatal shooting of a businessman in Digbeth here is a recap of what we know so far from police.
There are now delays further along the M6 northbound in addition to the tailbacks caused by the fatal collision we have been reporting all morning.
Traffic is expected to return to normal in that section at around 15:00 according to current estimates from Highways England.
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Virgin Trains has offered some leeway to train passengers who cannot reach pre-booked trains because of the tailbacks on the M6 we have been reporting this morning.
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Alex Homer
BBC Local Live
If you are just catching up on Thursday's news, here is a recap of the headlines we have been reporting so far:
- A car driver has died in a fatal crash with a lorry on the M6, causing hours of delays
- A man has been shot dead in an attempted warehouse robbery in Digbeth
- Aston Villa has appointed the former Governor of the Bank of England to its board of directors
Caroline Gall
BBC News Online
Drivers are still being warned about long delays on the M6 in Birmingham after the northbound carriageway and two southbound lanes were closed following a fatal collision.
Image source, Pete SaullA Highways England spokesman said: "All four lanes (northbound) need to be resurfaced as it is just unsafe.
“You’ve got about a 200m stretch – so that’s 800m across all four lanes.
“It’ll be shut for most of the day and it’s unlikely it will be open for peak time travel later.
“Fuel has leaked onto the carriageway and it’s really got into the carriageway so that’s the problem and it’s just not safe to re-open.”
Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC WM
This gives you some idea of the man power deployed this morning to the investigation into the murder of Akhtar Javeed during what police believe was a botched robbery attempt.
Seven officers wearing gloves are going over the area surrounding Direct Source 3 Ltd in Digbeth, where the fatal shooting occurred, in the hunt for any clues that can aid their work.
West Midlands Police deploy officers to Digbeth 'murder' investigation
Former Wolverhampton Grammar boy Mervyn King is a life-long Villa supporter who the club says has a "deep understanding of the club and the role that it played in the lives of its many loyal supporters".
Villa chairman Steve Hollis said: "Mervyn successfully steered the Bank of England through the most turbulent economic headwinds in living memory and his appointment to the board is a huge boost as we plan our path back to more successful times."
Image source, Aston VillaLord King said: "I watched my first match at Villa Park more than 55 years ago, and have experienced the highs and the lows since then.
"I shall do my best to help the rebuilding of Aston Villa Football Club as together we return it to its position as one of the top clubs in the world."
Aston Villa has appointed the former Governor of the Bank of England, Lord King of Lothbury, to its board of directors, the club has announced.
Bob Hockenhull
BBC Midlands Today
Drivers are still trapped in miles of queues on the M6 northbound following the fatal crash between a lorry and a car we reported earlier.
Highways England is hoping to reopen all of the lanes by 12:00.
More than half the people of the West Midlands think Britain is allowing in too many refugees from Libya or Syria according to a new BBC radio survey.
51% of those questioned in this region said fewer people from those countries should be resettled.
It was the largest percentage holding the view anywhere in Britain.
It'll be a damp start to the day for most with some occasional heavy outbreaks of rain.
Skies will stay mostly cloudy and grey though the day but any rain will ease into the afternoon with highs of 11C (52F).
Peter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today
Akhtar Javeed was a company director and was found lying in the street when officers arrived.
Police say it was a targeted robbery.
Since January there have been 41 arrests for gun-related crime; 19 firearms have been seized.
This is the third shooting-related murder being investigated since October.
Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC WM
I'm at the scene of the fatal shooting of Akhtar Javeed in Digbeth, which followed what police believe was a warehouse robbery that went wrong.
There's a line of police looking for clues at the scene. Forensics experts in white suits have been out.
We believe Mr Javeed was a director of Direct Source 3 Ltd. We're not aware if he was the person who called police to the premises.
Here is the gridlocked image of the northbound carriageway of the M6, as seen from one of the Highways England's cameras.
Image source, Highways EnglandPeter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today
Police have cordoned off the scene of an attempted warehouse robbery bid in Digbeth, which saw the fatal shooting of Akhtar Javeed, aged 56.
All lanes have been reopened on the M6 southbound after hours of delays this morning following a fatal collision between a lorry and a car.
Alex Homer
BBC Local Live
Here are the top stories in the BBC WM newsroom on Thursday:
- A car driver has died in a fatal crash with a lorry on the M6, causing hours of delays
- A man has been shot dead in an attempted warehouse robbery in Digbeth
- Attitudes have hardened towards refugees from Libya or Syria in the West Midlands, a new BBC radio survey suggests
The man shot dead in an attempted warehouse robbery in Digbeth has been named by police as 56-year-old Akhtar Javeed.
A car driver was confirmed dead at the scene of a fatal crash between a car and a lorry on the M6 northbound carriageway, West Midlands Ambulance Service said, external.
The lorry driver was shaken but uninjured after the crash on the northbound carriageway between junctions five for Castle Bromwich and junction six for Spaghetti Junction at around 01:55 on Thursday.
A man was shot dead during an attempted warehouse robbery in Digbeth, sparking a murder investigation.
"Several" masked men reportedly swooped on Direct Source 3 Ltd, at 66 Rea Street South, just before 18:40 on Wednesday.
A man in his 50s was found, who had been shot. West Midlands Police said its officers believed two men were involved and inquiries were on-going this morning to identify the people behind it.
Image source, Google