Northgate was the scene of a rather shocking police incident today. Imagery from Apple Maps.

This morning, Tuesday 12th December 2017, there was a serious police incident on Northgate in Aldridge, which led to closure of the road, intense police activity and a hell of a lot of unfounded rumour spread on social media, sadly.

I made enquiries with the press Office at West Midlands Police, and an hour ago Press Officer Caroline Schubert issued the following statement:

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence following three incidents involving a man with a suspected handgun this morning (Tuesday 12 December) in Bloxwich and Aldridge.

In the first incident at 5.45 am this morning, a man allegedly tried to steal a car at gunpoint from a driveway in Central Fields, Dudley Close, Bloxwich. The owner was defrosting his car, when the man pointed what appeared to be a gun at him, and ordered him to get out. The man attempted to drive off in the car, but was unable to because of ice on the driveway. He ran away on foot, leaving the owner of the car unharmed.

Later on, at around 7.15am, a husband and wife were threatened with a suspected gun, after a car bumped into the back of their vehicle in Sutton Coldfield. After the collision, the man drove off pointing the weapon at them as he sped past. Nobody was hurt and the damage to the victims’ car was very minor.

The third incident was around 9.05am, when a man got into a taxi in Northgate, Aldridge, holding what the driver thought was a loaded firearm. The taxi driver went to a nearby service station to call police, leaving the man in his car. The man made off on foot and was subsequently found and arrested by armed police as they searched the area.

A vehicle was later recovered in the vicinity and police investigations are on-going. The suspected firearm has not been recovered. Anyone who witnessed these incidents or has information about them is asked to contact 101 giving reference 340 1212.

Regards
Caroline Schubert
West Midlands Police

Please,  if you have information regarding this series of incidents or if you have witnessed something suspicious, please contact West Midlands Police by dialling 101 and quoting reference 340 1212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111