The path that runs from the A5 Watling Street (opposite the Hednesford Road) to Chester Road is a popular short cut between Brownhills West and the town. Please take care. Imagery from Google Maps.

Following my post in the early hours of this morning in which reader Holly Jones asked me to warn Brownhills folk and appeal for information following the very unpleasant mugging of her partner Sam, West Midlands Police have issusued the following statement:

Bob,

A man fought off a robber who was armed with a bladed instrument on a Brownhills footpath and now police are appealing for information to find his attacker.

The 24-year-old was walking along a pathway on Chester Road North near to the derelict Rising Sun pub at around 10am on Friday 30 May when he was grabbed from behind.

He was threatened by a man with a blade who demanded he hand over his belongings – but he fought back and punched the robber before running away.

Detectives are investigating several lines of enquiry and are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the robbery to come forward.

Sergeant Craig Newey, from Walsall’s local CID, said: 'I would like to commend the bravery of the man who valiantly fought back in what must have been a very frightening situation.

'We believe the man held a sharp instrument to his face and during the incident he sustained a cut to his face. Fortunately he was not seriously hurt but this could have so easily been a more serious injury.

'We are determined to catch the person responsible and are investigating several lines of enquiry but I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen the attempted robbery or the attacker running away to call me or one of the team on 101.'

Alternatively people can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers the independent charity on 0800 555 111.

Kind regards,

Gina Lycett

I'd like to thank Gina Lycett and Richard Eccleston at West Midlands police for their help with this. Much appreciated.

Crime of this nature in Brownhills is relatively rare, although there was a reported robbery on The Black Path a couple of months ago. Take care, and watch out in isolated spots.

Please, if you have any information, do speak to the police. This person needs to be caught before they do it again. If you know who this might be, or if you saw anything at all, please do contact Walsall Police by dialling 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Posted with Blogsy