Reminder of deadline for registering for Solihull's elections

THERE are a little over two weeks left to register to vote in Solihull's upcoming local elections.
If you are not currently registered then you have until April 17 to sign-up.
This year will see a third of seats on the borough council being contested, with the public casting their ballot papers on May 3.
To find out more about voter registration visit the Government's official website.

North Solihull's crime hotspots revealed

CHESTER Road has been named as the street with the highest level of criminal activity in North Solihull.
A total of 635 offences were recorded on the route in the period between October 2016 and September last year.
Other crime hotspots included Bosworth Drive (178 crimes recorded), Coleshill Road (123), Cooks Lane (103) and Station Road (79).
In total, the 15 streets with the highest crime figures accounted for a third of all offences in the north of the borough over the course of the 12 month period.
And further analysis of the figures shows that the types of crime varied depending on the area.
Chelmsley Wood town centre and the shopping area surrounding Morrisons, in Castle Bromwich, were identified as having a problem with theft and people leaving shops without paying - as might be expected from busy retail districts.
Babbs Mill Recreation Ground and Kingshurst Way were associated with anti social behaviour, while vehicle crime was a particular problem in Forth Drive and Fordbridge Road.
The data was included in a comprehensive Safer Solihull report, presented to borough councillors on Monday of this week.
There will be more about concerns relating to crime in the next edition of Other Side of Solihull.

House fire closes Marston Green street

EMERGENCY RESPONSE: Crews in Cambridge Drive earlier today.
Picture/ West Midlands Fire Service

FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a blaze in Marston Green earlier today (Tuesday).
Crews from Sheldon, Solihull, Ward End and Highgate arrived in Cambridge Drive this morning and managed to contain the fire to one property.
No-one was injured in the incident, although the road was closed while the emergency services extinguished the flames.
A spokesman for Solihull Fire Station said: "Crews will be back in the area giving safety advice and checking smoke alarms over the next week."

Charge following man's death in 2016

A YOUNG man has been charged with murder, following a fatal stabbing believed to have taken place in Kingshurst some 18 months ago.
Giovanni Lewis, aged 28, had suffered multiple wounds to the chest on October 18, 2016.
It is believed the Shard End man (pictured, right) was attacked in North Solihull before being taken to Heartlands Hospital. He died shortly after arriving at A&E.
Now Jammal Chase has been charged in relation to Mr Lewis' death, after handing himself into a police station on Friday evening (March 23). Officers had been looking for the 21-year-old for around a year and a half.
He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of an imitation firearm and possession of an offensive weapon. He was remanded in custody and the case will be heard at the city's Crown Court tomorrow (Wednesday).
Police investigations into the incident continue.
Det Insp Paul Joyce, from the homicide team, said: "I would appeal to anyone who holds any information on the whereabouts of where Jammal has been for the last 18 months to make contact with myself or the team on 101."

Kingshurst man charged following fatal crash

A KINGSHURST man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, following a fatal collision last summer.
Nicholas Buck, 53, of Kingshurst Way, is due to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Thursday (March 29).
The charge follows a collision between a school minibus and a bin lorry on the Kingsbury Road, in Castle Vale, on July 7.
Fourteen-year-old Holly Brown had died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The school girl (pictured, right) had been on an art trip along with around 20 other students from John Taylor High School, in Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire.
Det Sgt Alan Hands, from  West Midlands Police, said: "Holly’s family are devastated and specialist officers continue to support them during this extremely difficult time."

Bonnets and lego bricks at Easter event

AN EASTER Parade will be taking at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens next weekend.
Aside from the traditional procession, there will be an egg hunt, games and the chance to browse Lego models placed around the site.
The event will be taking place on Saturday (March 31), from 12.30-4.30pm. To find out more visit the Hall Gardens' website.

Royal appointment for Castle Bromwich students

STUDENTS from Park Hall Academy will be performing at the world-famous Royal Albert Hall next week.
The contingent from the Castle Bromwich school will be joining choristers from around the country for a rousing performance at the London venue, perhaps best known for hosting the Last Night of the Proms each year.
In total more than 2,000 singers from 50 different choirs will take to the stage for the performance on Monday evening (March 26).
Pupils from Kingshurst Primary will also be taking part in the much-anticipated event, organised by the AC Academy - a singing education programme.
The venue's website reveals that the concert will feature a programme of music which ranges from Take That through to Disney's The Lion King.
The performance will be attended by the Queen's cousin, HRH The Duke of Kent, while the students will be joined on stage by actor Mark Williams, known for The Fast Show and the Harry Potter films, and Strictly Come Dancing stars Gorka Marquez and Dianne Buswell.