There are no changes to bin collections - please put your bins out on the usual day this state-of-the-art development will provide high-quality addressing the growing demand for accessible housing in Sandwell The new development will consist of 11 units comprising 7 x 2 bedroom and 4 x 4 bedroom family-sized homes Residents will enjoy easy access to local amenities such as public transportation links while also benefiting from energy-efficient features and building materials that minimize the environmental impact of the project Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development said: “This development is another vital step towards providing residents with safe It’s a testament to the council’s commitment to improving the quality of life for all members of our community Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure added: “The demand for affordable housing has never been greater and this project is a direct response to that need We are proud to work with T R Partnership Homes Limited to create a development that will not only provide much-needed homes but also contribute to the growth and vibrancy of our community.” said: “It’s been a pleasure for TR Partnership Homes to work on our first scheme with Sandwell Council whilst providing employment opportunities and engaging with the local supply chain.” The project is part of the council’s broader commitment to addressing the affordable housing crisis and ensuring that our residents have access to safe The housing development has created jobs for local people during construction and will provide long-term benefits to the local economy Sandwell Council had built 547 new council homes since 2016 and is currently building 89 new council homes of these 74 are anticipated to complete this financial year The council also has plans to build a further estimated 133 new council homes by 2027 This makes a potential total of around 769 new council homes the council is developing a future pipeline which it is hoped will bolster these numbers both up to 2027 and beyond Grant funding for the project was provided by Homes England Would-be street racers are being warned that they could face jail if they breach a High Court injunction in place across the Black Country Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 The warning comes after a man from Smethwick admitted being in contempt of court following an incident of street racing, also known as car cruising, in Bearwood in Smethwick in late March Qamar Hussain, of William Road in Smethwick, appeared before the High Court in Birmingham on Thursday April 25 and admitted racing against another vehicle along the Hagley Road between Wolverhampton Road and Bearwood Road led by Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council Sandwell Council and Walsall Council and supported by West Midlands Police organising or publicising gatherings; or from participating as a spectator The injunction covers the whole of the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall and anyone found to be breaching it will be in contempt of court and may be imprisoned They may also be ordered to pay the council's legal costs of any hearing Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Digital and Community said: "The existence of the street racing injunction is widely known across the Black Country but we are still seeing occasional incidents such as the one which occurred in Smethwick in March the court will not hesitate to take tough action against anyone who breaches the injunction "We know that street racing activity typically increases with the lighter nights and warmer weather of spring and summer and anyone who is thinking of taking part in this wholly anti-social activity should recognise the severe consequences that they will face." Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community said: “Street racing puts people’s lives at risk and can lead to tragedies on our roads “This is the 10th person we have taken to court for breaching the injunction by racing on Sandwell’s roads and we will continue to work in partnership with the police and other Black Country councils to respond to people’s concerns and protect our communities.” West Midlands Police is inviting members of the public to submit dash cam or mobile phone footage of street racing events or dangerous driving via its Op Snap website An innovative treatment for enlarged prostates is now being offered to NHS patients in Sandwell and West Birmingham for the first time with improved recovery times and long-term benefits is a minimally invasive procedure performed under general anaesthetic and involves using a laser to remove parts of the prostate It is now being performed by urologists at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital Patients who undergo HoLEP will spend less time recovering in hospital and will need to wear a catheter for a shorter amount of time than those who undergo a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) There is also a lower risk of complications with HoLEP as there is less bleeding than TURP surgery and therefore a reduced chance of the patient requiring a blood transfusion One of the first procedures took place earlier this year He said: “I spoke to my consultant about the options for my enlarged prostate and was keen to have surgery so I wasn’t nervous about having a new procedure at all “I’m still continuing with my pelvic floor exercises but since the surgery I get up a lot less in the middle of the night to use to bathroom Consultant urologists Mr Fahd Khan and Ananda Dhanasekaran have now performed over fifteen HoLEP procedures a consultant urologist in the NHS who specialises in laser prostate surgery who helped establish the HoLEP service at the Trust said: “Lots of men over the age of 50 will have problems with an enlarged prostate which can reduce their quality of life in many ways “I am very pleased that we can now offer this treatment to them which will help them to recover faster and reduce any chance of needing more surgery in the future “There is also no limitation on the size of the prostate we can operate on using HoLEP which means we can help treat even more men with this common issue.” The recovery time from a HoLEP procedure is typically 4-6 weeks patients are advised to continue with pelvic floor exercises to strengthen urinary control and help resolve symptoms of an overactive bladder A bid to turn an empty unit on an industrial estate into a private member’s club has been turned down Sandwell Council rejected the move to convert the unit in Willow Court off Crystal Drive, Smethwick saying it would be “incompatible” with its neighbours The local authority’s planners added that the application for the venue which would be open until 3am six days a week had “failed to demonstrate [it] would support maintain or enhance the existing businesses as well as the employment function of the area.” The proposed opening hours were 11am to 3am between Monday and Saturday and 10.30am to midnight every Sunday with a maximum capacity of 50 people The planning application said the private club would not be open to the public and only used by bookings with the owner West Midlands Police said the application lacked basic information – particularly on security measures – and called for it to be turned down The force added that parking was already an issue on the industrial estate and the eight spaces provided was not enough to avoid “clashes” with neighbours The industrial estate near the M5 in Smethwick is home to a tableware supplier The industrial estate was also “very secluded without natural surveillance” and in a high-crime and high-demand location that would only worsen for police and the community the force’s design crime out officer added leading it to become an “anti-social behaviour magnet.” Sandwell’s public health officer also raised concerns saying the unit was unsuitable as a venue because it was poorly insulated from noise An application for a premises licence was made by Mr Douglas late last year which asked for permission to sell alcohol and play music from the proposed club until 4am every day The council said Mr Douglas was “uncertain” over how the venue would operate telling its licensing department that it would be used for his friends to relax in but also hired out for parties Those booking the venue would bring their own PA systems which would make it difficult to control noise A woman who stabbed a man at his Smethwick flat following an argument has been jailed Jessica Jury fled after injuring her victim in South Road at around 4.15pm on September 5 last year He sustained serious injuries but is now recovering, West Midlands Police said the day after the stabbing and she was arrested The 33-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent in March. She was jailed for five years and six months at Wolverhampton Crown Court on April 11 Eight fire crews are currently on the scene of a waste facility blaze in Smethwick West Midlands Fire Service received a call at 10.08am reporting a fire at a facility on Rabone Lane in Smethwick just a short distance from the train station Eight crews are currently in attendance with a high volume pump in use People have been told to avoid the area and to keep windows and doors closed Police have shared a photo of a man they would like to speak to after a house was burgled in Smethwick The incident is said to have happened at around 9.15am on January 28, where a games console and cash were stolen from an address in St Paul's Road West Midlands Police is asking anyone with information to contact them via Live Chat on their website or by calling 101 and quoting 20/129500/25 Get a bespoke headline round-up from the West Midlands, as well as breaking news updates, when you sign up to the Express and Star’s free emails A plan to build a 20-bed HMO in Smethwick High Street will make ‘everything 100 times worse’ according to angry neighbours New plans would see a number of extensions built above and behind Viney’s Opticians in High Street, Smethwick to make way for the house of multiple occupation (HMO) Get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox with the Express & Star’s free newsletter But the move has angered residents in Victoria Avenue a small row of houses behind the Smethwick shops saying they already suffer from the lack of parking spaces and rats and other vermin from constant fly-tipping which the HMO would make “100 times worse.” The objector told Sandwell Council: “The council must not accept this application for an HMO on the parking situation alone “If we the residents are having issues already with the existing shops and flats on rats can you imagine the situation when a 20 room HMO is slapped in the middle?” Another objector added: “If the HMO goes ahead they will mostly likely be using our residential parking to park their cars and as residents we will have to park outside which is not fair because these bays are for Midland Heart residents and we have disabled residents and small children we will not be able to cope with this will affect all residents “The narrow alleyway where the HMO will be will get more congested because there are delivery vans congesting it already and an HMO will make matters worse “A 20 room HMO will make everything 100 times worse The plan has also been criticised by West Midlands Police over the ambiguous number of parking spaces as well as the lack of facilities for future residents The application did not include any security or management plans Only three bathrooms and kitchens would serve the 20 bedrooms and no lounge areas are included The application by Quinton-based Pritam Singh Gill from We Want Any Homes Ltd said the HMO would provide an “acceptable” level of amenity and would cause “no harm” to parking The application states that parking would be available – despite the proposed HMO being in a “highly sustainable location” – but does not specify the number of spaces A statement included with the application said: “The proposed restoration extension and conversion of the application building in order to provide residential accommodation represents a sustainable form of development which would also achieve a more efficient use of an available brownfield site meeting a clear housing need in the local community without causing any detriment to the amenity of the area or to the existing residents “The proposal scheme would bring about the restoration and modernisation of the rear sections of the building in a manner which would be sensitive and sympathetic in heritage terms.” Drone footage shows the aftermath of a large Smethwick blaze that broke out this morning Fire crews were called at 10.08am on Sunday morning to a blaze that broke out at a waste facility in Radbone Lane in Smethwick West Midlands Fire Service sent eight crews to the scene, which is a short distance from the Radbone Lane train station The crews were initially using a high volume pump to spray large amounts of water on the affected areas Fresh photos and drone footage shows the current scene Street art will mark 60 years since US civil rights leader’s trip to Smethwick shortly before his assassination It was a moment that united the US civil rights movement with the anti-racist movement in Britain helping to change the country – and to mark its 60th anniversary it will be commemorated with a mural On 12 February 1965, the black American activist Malcolm X visited Smethwick, in the West Midlands after what is remembered as the most racist election campaign the UK has ever seen the anti-racism activist who invited him to Smethwick where Martin Luther King was being held in the city jail after campaigning for equal voting rights In England, black and Asian workers were facing discrimination, violence and intimidation in the West Midlands. A British branch of the Ku Klux Klan had formed in Birmingham after the election of the Conservative MP Peter Griffiths whose campaign used an openly racist “unofficial” slogan In Smethwick, a “colour bar” operated in housing denying minority ethnic workers equal pay and access to amenities Malcolm X experienced it for himself at the Blue Gates pub on seeing posters outside properties saying “coloured people need not apply” Nine days after coming to Smethwick, Malcolm X was assassinated in New York. Jouhl, who died in 2022, previously told Birmingham Live: “Malcolm’s visit put racism in Britain on the international map … After he visited The Smethwick mural, funded by Arts Council England, will be created by the artist Bunny Bread and is part of a festival of anniversary celebrations led by the anti-racist collective MX60 Jagwant Johal of Birmingham Race Impact Group said: “The story of how and why Malcolm X found himself in Smethwick is one of international Black unity and solidarity The significance of the visit was to connect the dots of global racism “The same racist scapegoating of refugees and asylum seekers today was very much the background back then leading the Indian Workers’ Association to invite Malcolm X to expose the unfolding apartheid in Smethwick.” West Midlands Fire Service have urged people to avoid the area around Firs Lane in Smethwick as they assist with an incident Crews were confirmed to be assisting other first responders with a warning posted X the social media app formerly known as Twitter at around 9.13pm on March 16 In the post, West Midlands Fire Service said: "We have Fire Crews in Attendance at Firs Lane, Smethwick, supporting our Blue Light colleagues and partner agencies A fire at a Smethwick recycling facility involved an estimated 30 tonnes of metal Fire crews were alerted to the blaze on Rabone Lane just after 10.05am on Sunday (April 13) Residents and businesses were warned to close their doors and windows as a result of smoke The fire involved approximately 30 tonnes of waste metal within a bay at the site, West Midlands Fire Service said. At its peak, eight fire engines, a hydraulic aerial platform used to tackle the blaze from a height and specialist resources including a high-volume water pumping unit were used to tackle the blaze. Machinery at the recycling facility was used to expose and turn over materials to be damped down, while water was collected from a nearby canal. A drone team at the fire service helped provide live imagery to firefighters at the scene. A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman added: "Rabone Lane and the nearby canal towpath were closed as a precaution. "We worked with several partner agencies to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. "A full handover of the site back to management and staff had happened by 5.30pm." Residents have shown their concern after a woman in her 50s was left with serious injuries after being attacked in Smethwick West Midlands Police rushed to the scene of a wasteland near Smethwick Halton Bridge Railway Station shortly after 3.30am on Tuesday (March 25) to report that a woman had been attacked at a residential address nearby Shortly after attending the incident, an 18-year-old man, who is known to the victim, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder residents and public transport users have expressed their concerns at the shocking incident Nine people have been hospitalised after a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a building in Smethwick Emergency services responded to the incident on Firs Lane, Smethwick at around 6.30pm on Sunday following reports of residents feeling unwell from 'breathing in fumes' The fumes are said to have affected the residents of a row of five houses West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) sent HART paramedics two paramedic officers and three ambulances to the scene where they assessed a number of people Nine of them were taken to hospital with potential carbon monoxide poisoning West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) also responded A spokesperson for WMAS said: "We were called to Firs Lane, Smethwick at 6.24pm last night (Sunday, March 16) to reports of residents feeling unwell from breathing in fumes in a building two paramedic officers and three ambulances were sent to the scene  The team of ambulance staff worked rapidly to assess a number of residents at the scene nine patients were taken to hospital for further treatment for potential carbon monoxide poisoning." A WMFS spokesperson said: "At 6.27pm on March 16 affecting residents of a row of five houses Nine people were taken to hospital by ambulance Firefighters wore breathing apparatus to conduct a thorough check of the premises we used specialist equipment to ensure the premises were clear of any gases or fumes." A West Midlands Police spokesperson added that the force is working with the health and safety executive A statement read: "We were called by paramedics to Firs Lane at around 6.30pm yesterday following a suspected carbon monoxide leak We are liaising with West Midlands Ambulance Service; West Midlands Fire Service and the Health & Safety Executive and enquiries continue." Six vehicles were seized  for a number of traffic offences after a targeted operation in Smethwick by police and council officers along with officers from West Midlands Police's Traffic Unit and Sandwell Council Civil Enforcement Officers was carried out to address reports of dangerous driving in the area after community members raised concerns Six vehicles were seized for offences such as driving without insurance A spokesman for the police's Smethwick Neighbourhood Team, said: "Our joint efforts with Sandwell Council underscore our commitment to tackling road safety issues raised by the community This operation is one of many steps we are taking to enhance safety and reinforce public confidence in local policing." "We regularly conduct road operations working with communities and partners to create safer roads for everyone and to deter criminals who abuse the road network "It is vital for drivers to ensure they are using their vehicles with the correct documentation This includes holding a full UK driving licence and a current MOT certificate where applicable Adhering to these requirements not only ensures legal compliance but also contributes to safer roads for all "Your safety is our number one priority and we are committed to reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use wmas.nhs.uk remember your settings and improve our services We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services Elena Lewis – Monday 20th January – 09.00am   Three teenagers have been injured after a car crashed into a wall West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 7.29pm to the junction of Booth Street and Anne Road in Smethwick and sent two ambulances a MERT trauma doctor and a critical care paramedic to the scene A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival was treated for serious injuries and conveyed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital “A second teenage boy was treated for potentially serious injuries and conveyed to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital was assessed for injuries not thought to be serious He was discharged at scene with selfcare advice.” Copyright © 2025 West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust Lovingly crafted by Mixd Work is underway in constructing eleven new houses on land adjacent to West End Avenue in Smethwick Thanks to grant funding from Homes England this project is creating a mixture of two- and four-bedroom properties for affordable rent in Sandwell quantity surveyors and structural engineers involved in this project are from our team here at Urban Design and Building Services (UDBS) Our client is the Housing Partnership Team at Sandwell Council while the building contractor is Tricas Construction Ltd The development is at the end of a cul-de-sac with a primary school and existing properties to the west and a canal feeder to the north Higher-than-average levels of existing drainage runs within West End Avenue meant we needed to build up the site to allow for adequate adoptable drainage systems We have designed all the properties to M(4)2 standards as outlined by the government Approved Document M. This means they will be accessible and adaptable dwellings – potentially suitable for a wide range of occupants with differing needs We have also designed the houses to the latest building regulation requirements ensuring their energy efficiency is in line with government targets Police are appealing for information to help identify a man whose body was found in a Smethwick canal last year Investigators have appealed after the body was discovered in Birmingham canal, between Raboe Lane and Bridge Street in Smethwick West Midlands Police investigated the discovery at the time and there was no evidence of any third-party involvement The man had a tattoo on his right hand similar to the Sikh symbol of 'Ek Onkar' The force has linked in with the local community including the Gurdwara nearest to the location A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We are appealing to the public to help identify a man whose body was found in a Smethwick canal he had a tattoo on his right hand similar to the Sikh symbol of 'Ek Onkar'." Anyone who can help with the investigation is asked to get in contact with West Midlands Police via the Live Chat service on their website A restaurant will have to face a grilling from council licensors after the fire service raised concerns about the venue’s safety measures Gold Koast Restaurant in Cape Hill, Smethwick, applied to Sandwell Council for a licence to sell alcohol earlier this year but will be questioned over its fire safety measures after objections were raised by West Midlands Fire Service Fire safety officers visited the Cape Hill restaurant only to find fire alarms were ‘inadequate’ and escape routes at the restaurant ‘unsuitable.’ In its objection, West Midlands Fire Service said the fire separation between the ground and first floors was “inadequate” and there was not a suitable permanent fire detection and alarm system between the restaurant and the above flats. The fire service added that the proposed fire escape route was “unsuitable” as it ran through the kitchen and was too long. Emergency lighting and the restaurant’s fire alarms were “not suitably maintained and tested” and there was no emergency plan of fire risk assessment. The restaurant’s artificial plants were also flammable and a fire hazard, the fire service said. Sandwell Council’s licensing subcommittee meets on April 24 to make a decision on the application. The restaurant has been registered at the Cape Hill address with Leeds-based Frank Anane and Ransford Kwasi Nuer as directors since June 2023 according to Companies House. The register of companies also shows the restaurant’s accounts are overdue from February and there is currently an active proposal to ‘strike off’ – which means the company is about to be dissolved. The West African restaurant opened in December 2023. It was given a ‘generally satisfactory’ three-star hygiene rating by the Food Standards Agency following an inspection in September last year. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. A grey Porsche Cayenne hit a Toyota Auris carrying four adults and a child in Smethwick I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 30-year-old man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a young boy died following an alleged hit-and-run crash. A grey Porsche Cayenne hit a Toyota Auris carrying four adults and the two-year-old boy on Dartmouth Road in Smethwick, near Birmingham, on Saturday evening, West Midlands Police said. Two people in the Toyota, a 29-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, remain in a serious condition in hospital. Sharjeel Shahzad has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance and failing to stop after a collision. He has been remanded to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. West Midlands Police added in a statement: “Our officers are offering support to all those involved at this awful time. “We’re still appealing for information, or dashcam footage, and you can contact us via email at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk.“Alternatively call 101, or message us via Live Chat, and quote log 4421 14 December.” in Smethwick","description":"A grey Porsche Cayenne hit a Toyota Auris carrying four adults and a child in Smethwick The West Midlands boasts some seriously talented exports from movie stars and musicians to world-class football players - today we look at Smethwick and originally stood near Bridge Street in the town Actors, sportspeople and legendary musicians all come from the Sandwell town we’ve taken a look at the most famous people who were born and bred in Smethwick Late Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie was born in the English Lake District village of Bouth but she grew up in the Bearwood area of Smethwick attending college in and around Birmingham and their 1977 album Rumours cemented their fame with hits such as Second Hand News and You Make Loving Fun Harry Potter star Dame Julie Walters and her family lived at 69 Bishopton Road in the Bearwood area of Smethwick when she was growing up The icon is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards Walters has twice been nominated for an Academy Award Liza Goddard is best best known for her work in the 1970s and 1980s She starred in the British shows including Take Three Girls Nine people who were taken to hospital after a suspected carbon monoxide leak in Smethwick have been released West Midlands Police, ambulance crews and firefighters were called to Firs Lane at around 6.30pm on Sunday (March 16) The suspected gas leak affected a row of five houses Ambulance crews were called to the scene to reports of residents feeling unwell from breathing in fumes in a building A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "The team of ambulance staff worked rapidly to assess a number of residents at the scene The nine people have since been released from hospital, a West Midlands Police spokesman has confirmed He added that police enquiries into the suspected gas leak were ongoing Firs Lane resident David Sharma said he saw people being brought out of the affected properties on the night of the incident. Mr Sharma said: "They were walking but looked like they had been affected by something and were being helped into the ambulances.  "Then the police were here [on Monday]. There was quite a bit of activity this morning including police officers in protective clothing. "I have never seen anything like this, there has been police activity before a few times but not for anything like this." A Health and Safety Executive spokesman confirmed the agency was not involved in the incident. Two of four adults also injured are in serious condition after collision in Smethwick A two-year-old boy has been killed in a hit-and-run crash involving a stolen Porsche in Smethwick The collision happened on Dartmouth Road in Smethwick shortly before 11pm on Saturday, West Midlands Police said. Four adults and a child were rushed to hospital, where the two-year-old boy died. A woman aged 29, and a 30-year-old man remain in a serious condition while another man and woman, both aged 30, are described as stable. Police said the driver of a grey Porsche Cayenne fled the scene after it hit the Toyota Auris carrying the four adults and the boy. Checks on the Porsche have revealed it was stolen earlier this month, the force added. The road was closed in both directions while officers examined the scene but has since reopened. Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of the little boy at this extremely difficult time. “I would urge the driver of the Porsche to do the right thing and come and talk to us. They made the wrong decision to run away and I’m asking them now to make the right one. “I also want to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision and hasn’t already spoken to us, or has CCTV or dash-cam footage to get in touch.” Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 or email at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk, quoting log 4421 14 December. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Two people remain in a serious condition in hospital after a fatal hit-and-run crash in Smethwick as police continue to hunt for the driver thought to be involved A two-year-old boy died following the collision on Dartmouth Road off Kenrick Way just before 11pm on Saturday (December 14) He was taken to hospital alongside four adults and a 30-year-old man who remain in a serious condition a West Midlands Police spokesman said on Monday afternoon has been discharged from hospital whilst a second man The driver of a suspected stolen Porsche Cayenne thought to be involved in the crash fled the scene Police have issued a fresh appeal for the person behind the wheel to come forward as investigators continue with their enquiries Tributes have poured in on social media following the fatal collision as people have spoke at their "heart break" at the young life lost Cecilia Kaur wrote to Facebook: "Thoughts are with the family Hope the driver is caught and a rough sentence is given." A teddy bear could be seen tied to a barrier on the side of Dartmouth Road on Monday morning Anyone with information or dashcam footage has been asked to contact West Midlands Police at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk or by calling 101 or via Live Chat on the force's website quoting log 4421 of December 14 A Smethwick man has been handed a suspended sentence after dumping bags of waste on a street Adrian Bivolaru took plastic bags filled with insulation waste out of his Mercedes van and left them in Little Edward Street in Digbeth, Birmingham Birmingham City Council officers searched the dumped waste and found evidence linking it to a business Enquiries with the business then identified that on March 13 it paid a waste removals company £160 to remove waste from its premises The city council was able to discover the vehicle used to remove the rubbish Checks of the registration plate confirmed that Bivolaru was the insurance policyholder and only named driver on the policy It was then discovered that the van had entered an area of the city's Clean Air Zone in close proximity to Little Edward Street on six occasions between March 13 and March 20 Bivolaru was issued with notices under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requiring him to provide details of the driver of the van on March 13 and provide proof that he had legitimate arrangements for the disposal of his trade waste He however failed to respond to any of these notices Adrian Bivolaru, aged 35 and of Parkhill Road, Smethwick was charged with depositing controlled waste allowing controlled waste to be deposited from his vehicle and two charges of failing to supply information to a waste enforcement officer At Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday (March 24) he was sentenced for 13 weeks each for an offence of depositing controlled waste and an offence of allowing controlled waste to be deposited to run consecutively Bivolaru was also fined a total of £200 for failing to supply information a substantial amount of fly-tipping was discovered on June 13 Evidence within the waste identified an individual who paid a waste removal company to take their waste away Further enquiries then identified their rubbish had been collected by Bivolaru who at the time was director of removal services company Birmingham City Council cabinet member for environment and transport said: “This was a terrible case of environment vandalism with piles of commercial waste left strewn across the road "People who do this have no care for the community or people who live and work in the area we will prosecute when we have evidence so I would urge people to report this sort of behaviour Well done to the team that investigated and brought the case to court.” Two men have been arrested nearly a week after shots were fired at a house in Sandwell February 5 at around 4.30am and saw shots fired at a house on West End Avenue After an investigation was launched by West Midlands Police, officers armed with warrants went to two addresses in  Oldbury on Tuesday morning where two men were arrested The force confirmed that two 27-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and remain in custody for questioning A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Two men have been arrested after shots were fired in Smethwick last week shots were fired at an address on West End Avenue "Thankfully no one was injured but damage was caused to a window officers executed warrants at addresses in Oldbury this morning and two men were arrested in connection with the incident have been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and remain in custody for questioning "We remain committed to identifying and arresting offenders who use guns and knives on our streets as part of Operation Target "If you have any information about any crime involving weapons please call 101 or call 999 in an emergency Get a bespoke headline round-up from the West Midlands, as well as breaking news updates, when you sign up to the Express and Star’s free emails An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an incident in Smethwick West Midlands Police have arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder after a woman received head injuries after being attacked at a property in Smethwick Emergency services rushed to the scene of a wasteland near Smethwick Galton Bridge Railway Station shortly after 3.30am on Tuesday to reports that a woman had been attacked at a property nearby On arrival, West Midlands Police discovered the woman in her 50s who had sustained head injuries A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "Officers have arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder after a woman received head injuries after being attacked at a property in Smethwick "The arrest was made on wasteland close to Smethwick Galton Bridge train station shortly after 3.30am today (Tues) The woman is believed to have been attacked at a property nearby." Investigating officers have said that the woman was rushed to hospital in a 'serious but stable' condition and that the 18-year-old man and victim are known to each other with no further suspects being sought at this stage' was taken to hospital where she is in a serious but stable condition "They are known to each other and at this stage we are not looking for anyone else as part of the investigation." Platform 1 at Smethwick Galton Bridge was also closed following concerns for the welfare of man A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called by the police to Smethwick Galton Bridge Railway Station at 3.40am following concerns for the welfare of a man The patient had superficial injuries and was discharged on scene." An investigation into the incident is still currently ongoing A Sandwell Council refuse collection crew experienced first-hand the dangers of people putting batteries or electricals in the general waste when a fire broke out in the rear of their bin lorry The suspected cause of the fire was a discarded lithium-ion battery emphasising the importance of safe disposal practices for batteries and electricals and quick action from the crew and West Midlands Fire Service prevented further damage Serco and the West Midlands Fire Service are urging residents to safely dispose of batteries and electrical items at dedicated recycling points such as the Household Recycling Centre in Oldbury to prevent similar incidents in the future Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways at Sandwell Council but it is a stark reminder of how dangerous batteries can be when disposed of incorrectly We encourage all residents to use a designated recycling point for both batteries and electricals so that you can be sure you are not going to cause any fires or pose any dangers to waste collection staff or the community.” “Our crews acted swiftly to manage the situation and keep everyone safe but it’s crucial that batteries and electronic items never end up in household waste or recycling bins The compacting equipment in the body of the refuse vehicles punctures the battery which can lead to ignition “The good news is that small batteries can still be recycled at the kerbside just as long as they’re separated out into a clear bag Residents should put the bag on top of their blue lid bin for our crews to put into a side compartment both batteries and electricals can be taken to our Household Recycling Centre in Oldbury.” Head of Response at West Midlands Fire Service said:  batteries of this nature can be extremely hazardous when disposed of improperly and can pose significant risk to the public and "Lithium-ion batteries are found in many everyday items such as electric toothbrushes But products like these can prevent a fire hazard if over-charged "We encourage everyone to recycle them at designated battery recycling locations or via the appropriate kerbside recycling method in Sandwell." The correct way to dispose of all types of household battery is to remove them from the electrical item Small household batteries can be put inside a clear plastic bag and put on the blue lid recycling bin to be collected separately by the bin crew batteries and electrical items can be taken to the Household Recycling Centre in Oldbury open 8am-4pm everyday (except Christmas Day Visits can be booked in advance on the Sandwell Council website The man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in Smethwick after West Midlands Police acted on information A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal collision where a two-year-old died The arrest comes following a collision between two cars on Dartmouth Road, Smethwick Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 11pm following reports of the crash two of whom were described as being in a "serious condition" a two-year-old boy was sadly confirmed deceased a West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We have this afternoon arrested a man after a two-year-old boy tragically died following a collision in Smethwick "We acted on information and detained a 30-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving on Dartmouth Road on Saturday evening (December 14) A woman aged 29 and a 30-year-old man remain in a serious condition in hospital following the collision." The Serious Collision Investigation Unit can be contacted by email at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk, call 101 or Live Chat via WMP Online between 8am and midnight