Summary

  • Updates from Monday 16 August to Sunday 22 August

  1. 'Smallest detail' may help solve 1991 murder casepublished at 14:45 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    Police appeal for information about the killing of Veronica Anderson on the 30th anniversary of her death.

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  2. Abandoned kitten found on long distance trainpublished at 13:16 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    The male kitten is in good health and being cared for at a vets clinic in the West Midlands.

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  3. Dad called police to say daughter stuck in coatpublished at 13:09 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    A senior officer urges people to "think before they call" after the report to West Midlands Police.

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  4. Wave for fans as Tom Cruise continues filmingpublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    Lisa Wright
    BBC News, West Midlands

    He's been filming in Birmingham for a few days now, but there was still much excitement as we spotted Tom Cruise in Grand Central this morning.

    The centre has been transformed into a film set while the Hollywood superstar films Mission: Impossible 7.

    Tom Cruise on an escalator

    We caught a glimpse of Cruise as he was filmed, along with extras, travelling down an escalator, and he even pleased waiting fans with a wave as they called his name.

    Part of the shopping centre remains shut while filming continues.

  5. Attempted sex attacker jailed for eight yearspublished at 11:50 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    Craig Fairclough targeted a woman weeks after trying to rob a 12-year-old girl, a court is told.

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  6. Motorcyclist dies after hitting stationary carpublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    A motorcyclist has died following a crash with a stationary car in Birmingham last night.

    West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called at 21:15 BST on Tuesday to reports a motorbike had hit a stationary car in Coventry Road, Sheldon.

    On arrival, it said, the motorcyclist had been in a critical condition and had received advanced trauma care, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The driver of the car was treated for minor injuries, the service added.

    Coventry Road, SheldonImage source, Google

    Sgt Mark Crozier, from West Midlands Police, said it was investigating the circumstances of the crash and urged anyone with information to come forward.

  7. Hundreds of breast cancer patients receive gift bagspublished at 10:33 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    BBC Make A Difference

    A West Midlands charity says it has given more than 300 gift bags to women in hospital being treated for breast cancer during the pandemic.

    Woman in hospital genericImage source, Getty

    Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer's, external "Hug in a Bag" packs contain items such as lip balm, blankets and puzzles to bring comfort, particularly to those in hospital alone because of restrictions.

    Veronica Kumeta, the charity's co-founder, said: "If you are going through chemotherapy or radiotherapy it's really, really tough and quite scary.

    "So I wanted to find a way to support women through this process - especially if they are forced to attend hospitals alone."

  8. Police secure selfie with Tom Cruise as filming continuespublished at 10:01 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    British Transport Police officers are the latest to spot Tom Cruise in the West Midlands.

    There have been a Cocktail of sightings of the A-list actor, who is currently filming the seventh instalment of the Mission Impossible series at Grand Central in Birmingham.

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  9. Benjamin signs Warwickshire contractpublished at 09:31 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    Wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Benjamin signs a three-year contract with Warwickshire after impressing on a rookie deal.

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  10. Police run summer activities for childrenpublished at 09:30 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    Police in Coventry have run a series of summer activities for children in the city.

    PCSOs Kelly White and Emma Coffield have been running activities throughout the school holidays in Coseley’s Clayton Park and Jubilee Park.

    The pair have run activities like First Aid training to litter picks and outdoor games.

    First aid training in CoventryImage source, West Midlands Police

    PCSO White said: “We have wanted to do something to reach out to vulnerable families for a while but Covid and lockdown has restricted this somewhat.

    “We thought that we would use the summer holidays to provide some positive, educational activities for the children.

    “We have also used this opportunity to build a more positive rapport with parents and carers.

    "It has been a great way to be able to provide a meal for the children, thanks to One Stop, for at least for one day a week throughout the school holidays when school meals are not available.”

  11. Man escapes from police custodypublished at 08:45 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    The hunt is on for a man who has escaped police custody in Staffordshire.

    Christopher Brennan, from Stoke-on-Trent escaped Northern Area Custody Facility in Etruria at around 15:30 BST on Tuesday.

    The 37-year-old had been remanded following a recall to prison, Staffordshire Police said.

    He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, grey trousers and black pump.

    Anyone with information bout his whereabouts is urged to contact the force.

  12. Dead fish linked to warehouse firepublished at 08:30 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    BBC CWR

    The Environment Agency says it believes the discovery of dead fish in Coventry is likely to be connected to a severe warehouse fire.

    In total, 70 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze at RAM Enterprise in Ash Green at its height last Thursday.

    The run off water from crews is suspected of polluting the River Sowe.

    Aeration equipment has been used to improve levels of oxygen in the river.

    The fire destroyed the RAM Enterprise distribution warehouse on Prologis ParkImage source, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
  13. Weather: Mostly overcast with the odd drizzle spellpublished at 08:15 British Summer Time 25 August 2021

    BBC Weather

    Today will be mostly cloudy or overcast with plenty of low cloud.

    It should be generally dry but the odd spell of light rain or drizzle is possible.

    This evening and overnight will remain overcast, with the chance of some patchy light rain, but generally it should remain dry.

    Find your local forecast at BBC Weather.

  14. Fulham much too strong for Birminghampublished at 23:03 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    Jay Stansfield's stunning strike crowns a dominant display for Fulham as they knock Birmingham City out of the Carabao Cup.

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  15. Ince and Surridge send Stoke throughpublished at 22:44 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    Tom Ince and Sam Surridge fire Stoke City into the third round of the Carabao Cup at the expense of Doncaster Rovers.

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  16. Wolves beat Forest for first win of seasonpublished at 22:19 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    Wolves secure their first win of the season by beating Nottingham Forest to reach the Carabao Cup third round.

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  17. Warwickshire sign Windies seamer Holderpublished at 18:44 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    Warwickshire sign West Indies fast bowler Chemar Holder for the rest of the County Championship campaign.

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  18. Birmingham Boots store included in new Deliveroo pilotpublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    Boots has become the latest high street brand to sign up with Deliveroo.

    The company is launching a 14-store pilot in cities across the country from Monday, with plans to roll out in other areas if successful.

    Deliveroo stock imageImage source, Reuters

    About 400 products will be available to customers on Deliveroo, including pain relief, vitamins and plasters.

    Other items will include No7 products, make-up, sandwiches, snacks, toiletries and baby essentials, the company said.

    Birmingham's High Street branch of Boots is among the 14 stores offering the service.

  19. 'Tom Cruise is in my back garden - it's bonkers'published at 17:27 British Summer Time 24 August 2021

    A request to land a helicopter carrying an unnamed VIP leads to an encounter with Hollywood royalty.

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