Operation Advance: Police Target Crime in Erdington and Pype Hayes Parks

West Midlands Police have launched a major initiative to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in our local parks and open spaces. The initiative, known as Operation Advance, is a force-wide operation that brings extra resources into specific areas for intensive days of action.

What's happened

According to West Midlands Police, Operation Advance has returned to Birmingham with a specific focus on parks and open spaces across the east and west of the city. The operation involves local neighbourhood officers being joined by colleagues from other areas of the force, as well as specialist resources like police drones and dogs. The goal is to target crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly during the half-term period when parks are busier.

What it means for Erdington and Pype Hayes

For residents of Erdington and Pype Hayes, this means a visible increase in police presence in our local parks and open spaces. This intensive day of action is designed to disrupt criminal activity, tackle anti-social behaviour, and provide reassurance to the community. It is an opportunity for residents to engage directly with officers, share intelligence, and highlight specific local concerns that need addressing.

Where I stand

I welcome any initiative that brings more police resources into Erdington and Pype Hayes. Our parks should be safe, welcoming spaces for families and residents, not havens for anti-social behaviour or criminality. While some might argue that these one-off days of action are just a sticking plaster and what we really need is consistent, long-term neighbourhood policing, I believe we must support these targeted operations while continuing to press for the sustained resources our community deserves. We need to see the results of this operation translated into long-term improvements in local safety.

What happens next

The police will be evaluating the outcomes of this intensive day of action, including arrests made and intelligence gathered. My office will be monitoring the impact on our local parks and following up with the local policing team to ensure that the issues raised by residents during Operation Advance are acted upon. We will continue to push for regular, visible policing in our ward.

Have your say

Did you see the police in our local parks during Operation Advance? What are your main concerns regarding crime and anti-social behaviour in Erdington and Pype Hayes? Please register on the site, leave a comment below, vote in our ward forum poll, and let us know your thoughts. Your feedback is vital in helping us hold the authorities to account.

Source: West Midlands Police