Family appeal for help to find stolen trailer tent

A LOCAL family have had to cancel their camping holiday after they were targeted by thieves earlier this month.
Phil Harrison was dismayed to wake up and discover his trailer tent had been taken from the garages in Hopwas Close, Kingshurst in the early hours of Monday, May 19.
Under cover of darkness, the crooks had broken into the building – near Yorkswood school - and removed the tent, which the Harrisons had only bought last month.
The item is a Conway Royale Trailer Tent (circa 1991), beige in colour with a brown tarpaulin cover.
Urging anyone with information to contact police, Mr Harrison said: “The trailer tent was a massive investment for my family and I.
“We are hardly millionaires and we were looking to take our daughter and her friends away on a camping trip to celebrate her 16th birthday in June. Those plans have now had to be scrapped.”
Solihull Police are investigating the theft and following up reports that the tent was offered for sale on the internet shortly after it was taken.
If you have any information, call officers on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The Big Lunch in Chelmsley Wood

COMMUNITY SPIRIT: The Big Lunch in Hampton-in-Arden
last year, this time North Solihull is getting in on the act.

SIT down and take the time for a bite to eat with your neighbours this Sunday (June 1).

Chelmsley Wood residents will be among the millions around the country who will be taking part in this year’s Big Lunch event.

The annual get-together, first held in 2009, encourages people to share a sandwich, a cuppa, maybe a nice slice of cake, with fellow residents.

It doesn't matter if it's a full-blown street party or a small group sat round a table; the main aim of the Sunday luncheon is to promote a sense of community.

The Chelmsley event, organised by the Ashram Housing Association, will take place at the Bosworth Community Centre.

Bring along some food and enjoy the face painting, a bouncy castle and other family activities from 11am-3pm.

To find out more go to www.thebiglunch.com/

Free photography exhibition in Smith's Wood

A PHOTO showcase of North Solihull is on display in Smith’s Wood today (Friday) and tomorrow.

The photography exhibition will be held at Auckland Hall, in Sunbeam Close, from 9am. Free entry.

Water supply restored but Severn Trent still working to stop leak

FLOOD: Severn Trent's team at the site of the burst water main

HOMES in parts of Castle Bromwich were among thousands left without water yesterday after a main pipe burst.
The company logged the problem at around 10.45am, after households in the B36, B34 and B8 areas reported a loss in water supply. Others experience a drop in pressure or discolouration.
The problems were caused after a 20inch water pipe sprung a leak in the Bromford area, flooding a number of homes in the locality.
Severn Trent manager Simon Brown apologised for the inconvenience and said that the water company were working to finish the job.
"It’s been our first priority to get everyone’s water supply back on, so our engineers have managed to re-route the water supply for our customers," he said.
"Our engineers are now working to fix the burst pipe. We also have a number of tankers in the area.
"Some customers may have had discoloured water coming out of their taps, we’ll of course be monitoring this, but if you do experience a slight yellow / orange discolouration, please don't worry.  "Your water may not look appealing but we've no reason to believe this will pose a risk to health."

Jail for burglar who struck at homes across Castle Bromwich

REMORSE: Alex Humphries

A THIEF who targeted a string of homes across Castle Bromwich has said he’s ready to “pay the consequences” for what he’s done.

Alex Humphries, 20, of no fixed abode, has admitted 19 burglaries or attempted burglaries, most of which took place in the North Solihull suburb last summer.

He took a total of seven cars from driveways, after forcing open patio doors or fishing through letter boxes to get his hands on the keys.

But after being caught and shown letters written by his victims, Humphries apologised and said he “deeply regretted” his actions.

In a handwritten statement, he wrote: “I didn’t have any money and so turned to crime.

“It won’t happen again: I’ve learned my lesson, I want to pay the consequences and then return to being a productive member of society."

Last Friday (May 23), Warwick Crown Court sentenced him to two years in a youth detention facility.

Humphries, who was only 19 when he carried out the crime spree, struck at streets including Water Orton Road, Chester Road, Lyndon Close, Whittleford Grove, Sudeley Close, Tomlinson Road and Milebush Avenue.

The spate of break-ins took place between May-July last year. He also owned up to burglaries in Knowle and Stone, Staffordshire.

Officers eventually caught up with the crook after a Skoda he’d stolen in Knowle was spotted parked up in Shard End on July 18 last year.

Speaking after sentencing, Det Con Dave Bailey said that he hoped Humphries would not revert to his old ways.

“These weren’t professional, planned jobs and on more than one occasion he fled having been disturbed by residents in addresses he’d targeted.
“He is still a young man and I hope he is true to his word, reflects on the hurt he’s caused and works with probation to better his life and stay out of trouble.”

UFOs filmed after Kingshurst mum pops out for cigarette break.

STRANGE lights in the skies over Kingshurst have left one local woman baffled.

Mum-of-three Michele Bardsley saw the reddish orbs when she stepped out for a cigarette at her home in Laburnum Avenue.

The UFOs were observed for more than 40 minutes on January 10 this year.

But the unexplained phenomena only came to light today, when the Birmingham Mail released footage that the 35-year-old had taken on her mobile phone.

“I looked up and there were these shapes, like orbs, in the sky," she told the paper.

“They didn’t look like stars, or planes or helicopters, they were just hanging there.

“I thought I’d had a few too many rum and cokes!”

• Did you see the lights? Or perhaps you know what caused them? Leave a comment below.

Cycle theft warning in North Solihull

CYCLISTS are warned to be on their guard after brazen thieves stole a bike in broad daylight last week.

The Giant-brand bicycle had been chained up outside Chelmsley gym last Wednesday (May 21) evening, when it was cut loose by two youths with bolt-cutters.

The theft happened around 7pm in the evening, while the owner was visiting the facility.

It’s understood that the culprits were caught on CCTV, although they were wearing hats and hoods at the time.

Police neighbourhood teams in Chelmsley Wood and Castle Bromwich have reported a recent increase in the theft of pedal cycles.

While the thieves came prepared in this latest incident, police have said that using a chain or wheel lock is nonetheless a deterrent to opportunists.

If you have any information about the theft call officers on 101.