Black Country news and blogs Tuesday 20 June 2017
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Where Are The Stick People? 
Inspector Guilfoyle 29 Jul
It’s been quite a few months since I last published a blog post and I’m often asked what’s happened to Stick Child and his friends.
The Professionals
Inspector Guilfoyle 22 Nov
Imagine a police force that handed out firearms to its officers without training them.
Chain Reaction
Inspector Guilfoyle 14 Oct
No, nothing to do with an old Diana Ross track, but the title of a presentation I gave at the UK’s first ever TEDx policing event in Leeds yesterday – #OldBillRebuilt, ably organised by Gareth Stubbs.
Freeze Frame
Inspector Guilfoyle 11 Sep
Watching the TV programme ‘The Force’ last night (which follows the work of officers from Greater Manchester Police), I thought of yet another analogy to help explain why binary comparisons are rubbish.
Schools quiz 2015
WM Fire Service 13 Jul
Pupils from a Sandwell school are celebrating, after taking first place in the final of the West Midlands Fire Service Schools’ Safety Challenge 2015.
Short Circuit 
Maths Class
Detox
Inspector Guilfoyle 25 Apr
Whilst flicking through TV channels recently, I came across a consumer advice programme, where the reporter was researching the effectiveness of self-administered ‘detox’ products.
Comfort Blanket
Inspector Guilfoyle 17 Apr
When Stick Child was a bit younger, he had a little comfort blanket.
Pair jailed after death of Smethwick woman
WM Police YouTube Channel 17 Apr
Pair jailed after death of Smethwick woman A teenager has today been jailed for 12 years for murdering a 47-year-old Smethwick woman.
The Wrong Conversation
Inspector Guilfoyle 28 Mar
Stick Child has been getting increasingly irritated by the slack methods some adults use to present information about really important stuff, such as how long it takes for patients to be seen in Accident and Emergency (AE) departments.
Police appeal after bike stolen from Wolverhampton station
British Transport Police 12 Mar
British Transport Police (BTP) is investigating after a bicycle was stolen from the rack at Wolverhampton railway station.
Police appeal after bike stolen from Wolverhampton station
British Transport Police 12 Mar
British Transport Police (BTP) is investigating after a bicycle was stolen from the rack at Wolverhampton railway station.
CCTV released after Wolverhampton community stalwart burgled
WM Police YouTube Channel 10 Mar
CCTV released after Wolverhampton community stalwart burgled Visit our website for more information at http://www.
Industrial Action
WM Fire Service 18 Feb
Update issued at 12.10pm Wednesday 25 February Since the 24-hour strike by firefighters started at 7am today, we have attended two incidents: 07:30 Sutton Coldfield: false alarm 11:27 Aston: false alarm We have 23 fire engines, one Brigade...
Beryl’s lovin’ it!
WM Fire Service 9 Feb
Shopper Beryl Bailey (pictured, right) clearly LOVES a good offer - and that’s just what she was getting ahead of Valentine’s Day, from Watch Commander Tony Bucknall! Tony and crew were down at ASDA in Wolverhampton, spreading the word about...
Police pursuit reaches 142mph
WM Police YouTube Channel 6 Feb
Police pursuit reaches 142mph A member of a Wolverhampton gang who carried out smash and grab raids on shops across the country netting almost 40000 in cigarettes has been jailed.
Headteacher praises WMFS response
WM Fire Service YouTube Channel 6 Feb
Headteacher praises WMFS response Last night (Thurs 5 Feb) 40 of our firefighters responded to a fire at St Alban's Primary School in Wednesfield.
Image issued following Wolverhampton bike theft
British Transport Police 12 Dec
Do you recognise this man...
Image issued following Wolverhampton bike theft
British Transport Police 12 Dec
Do you recognise this man...
Avoidable Harm
Inspector Guilfoyle 6 Dec
I recently had a conversation on Twitter about a national campaign called ‘Sign up to Safety’, which aims to reduce avoidable harm in the NHS.
Chair’s letter to Minister
WM Fire Service 3 Dec
Date: 1 December 2014 Penny Mordaunt, MPParliamentary Under Secretary of StateDCLG4th Floor, Fry Building2 Marsham StreetLondonSW1P 4DF Dear Fire Minister...
Images released after bag theft – Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton
British Transport Police 17 Nov
British Transport Police (BTP) wants to speak to two men in CCTV images released today after a passenger’s bag was stolen from the luggage racks of a train traveling between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton.
Images released after bag theft – Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton
British Transport Police 17 Nov
British Transport Police (BTP) wants to speak to two men in CCTV images released today after a passenger’s bag was stolen from the luggage racks of a train traveling between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton.
A Tale of Two Kings
Inspector Guilfoyle 16 Nov
At bedtime, Stick Child’s Daddy often reads his son a story from his favourite story book, “Medieval Stories from Stick Kingdom with an Inevitable Systems Thinking Moral”.
Stick Child and The Fraggles
Inspector Guilfoyle 12 Nov
Recently, Stick Child was watching the television channel ‘Stick Gold’, when he came across an episode of the 1980s children’s show, Fraggle Rock .
CCTV appeal: Thug hits man outside Monty’s bar, Sedgley
WM Police YouTube Channel 6 Nov
CCTV appeal: Thug hits man outside Montys bar, Sedgley Do you recognise these men? We want to speak to them after a man was assaulted outside Monty's bar, High Street, Sedgley.
Top of the Table
Inspector Guilfoyle 27 Oct
When the Chair of the House of Commons Education Committee asked Michael Gove (Secretary of State of Education at the time) about comparative performance measurement between schools, this happened: Chair: If “good” requires pupil...
It’s Criminal
Inspector Guilfoyle 10 Oct
I’ve been meaning to get around to writing about the issue of using crime figures as an indicator of police performance for a while now.
Find The Treasure More 999
Police blogs »
Walsall man charged in connection with terrorism offence
WM Police Walsall 17 Jun
A 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences has today (Saturday 17 June) been charged.
Pedestrian named following fatal collision in Walsall
WM Police Coventry 16 Jun
Police investigating a fatal non-stop traffic collision in Walsall have today named the elderly man who died.
Two more murder charges over Coventry petrol station killing
WM Police Coventry 15 Jun
Detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Mark Nesmith at a Coventry petrol station have charged two more people with murder.
Police charge man in connection with Coventry stabbing
WM Police Coventry 14 Jun
Police investigating a fatal stabbing in Coventry have charged a 21-year-old man with murder.
Police arrest two people in connection with stabbing in Coventry
WM Police Coventry 12 Jun
Detectives investigating a stabbing in Earlsdon, Coventry have arrested two people overnight.
Walsall man arrested over terrorism offences
WM Police Walsall 12 Jun
A 27-year-old man has been arrested today (Monday 12 June) on suspicion of terrorism offences.
Coventry stab victim dies
WM Police Coventry 12 Jun
A Coventry man found with serious stab wounds in Earlsdon in the early hours of yesterday (Sunday 11 June) has died.
Already Liable
Mental Health Cop 11 Jun
Can a police officer detain a person under s136 MHA if that person is already affected by mental health law in some way? Imagine a police encounter where the officers are told by someone the person they have concerns about is on leave from ...
Investigation launched into Coventry stabbing
WM Police Coventry 11 Jun
Detectives have launched an investigation after a man was stabbed in Spon End, Coventry today (11 June).
Bookies robber brought down by CCTV… and bucket hat!
WM Police Walsall 10 Jun
An armed robber who threatened staff at a bookmakers with a gun has been jailed for more than five years − after his distinctive bucket hat helped police identify him.
Two Wolverhampton women charged with fraud
WM Police Walsall 9 Jun
Two women have been charged in connection with a fraud investigation.
Two arrested in Walsall for possession of firearms
WM Police Birmingham 6 Jun
Two men have been arrested after a car was stopped on Little Aston Road in Walsall earlier today (6 June).
Police charge third person in connection with Dudley man’s death
WM Police Walsall 5 Jun
A further murder charge has been secured in the investigation into a Dudley man's death.
Boy charged with the murder of Dudley man Simon Johnson
WM Police Walsall 3 Jun
Detectives investigating the death of Simon Johnson in Dudley have charged a 16-year-old boy with his murder.
Sections 23 and 25
Mental Health Cop 31 May
Imagine you’re the front line police officer called in to a mental health ward.
The best of humanity in the face of such horror
DCC Dave Thompson 25 May
Like everyone in the country I am lost for words after the events in Manchester on Monday night.
Fifteen Minutes
Mental Health Cop 24 May
This is a written version of a talk I gave last night, where I had fifteen minutes to summarising my thoughts on the overall topic of policing and mental health.
Walsall one punch killer jailed
WM Police Birmingham 22 May
A man has been jailed for five years today, after a man he punched during a disagreement in 2013 died as a result of his devastating injuries.
My welcome to the Fed in Birmingham
DCC Dave Thompson 19 May
This is the speech I gave welcoming members of the Police Federation at their conference in Birmingham this week.
Roads ban for speeding driver involved in fatal crash
WM Police Walsall 18 May
A speeding motorist has been banned from driving following a crash in Birmingham last year that resulted in the death of a teenager.
More Police blogs
Police videos »
Battering Ram Cam – Crime blitz continues across Sandwell
WM Police YouTube Channel 1 May
Battering Ram Cam - Crime blitz continues across Sandwell This week saw another series of early morning raids across Sandwell as part of #SpringSafer6.
Officers enter booby-trapped drug suspect’s house
WM Police YouTube Channel 23 Apr
Officers enter booby-trapped drug suspect's house Dramatic footage of the moment police in the Black Country broke down the booby-trapped door of a suspected drug dealer.
WATCH: Seven arrested in Sandwell crime blitz raids
WM Police YouTube Channel 21 Apr
WATCH: Seven arrested in Sandwell crime blitz raids Seven people have been arrested in a series of co-ordinated dawn raids across Birmingham and the Black Country in a blitz on criminals in Sandwell.
Police seek potential witnesses in Coventry rape investigation
WM Police YouTube Channel 21 Apr
Police seek potential witnesses in Coventry rape investigation Are you one of the men in this footage? If so, you may have seen something which could help us with a Coventry rape investigation.
Heron Foods robbery appeal
WM Police YouTube Channel 20 Apr
Heron Foods robbery appeal We're looking for a robber, in a distinctive jumper, who lay in wait for a shop assistant at a Weoley Castle food store on 5 March before emptying the shop's safe.
Black Country brolly robbers in action
WM Police YouTube Channel 17 Apr
Black Country brolly robbers in action Footage showing a group of Black Country robbers who used umbrellas to mask their entrance into a Farmfoods shop in Tipton.
More Police videos
WM Air Ambulance »
Major incident near Ryders Hayes estate in Pelsall, Walsall
Walsall Advertiser 20 Jun
EMERGENCY services have rushed to Walsall this evening, with an air ambulance deployed in what's being described as a major incident.
Biker seriously injured as motorcycle and Audi collide on B5013…
Lichfield Mercury 12 Jun
STAFFORDSHIRE Police have appealed for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision near Abbots Bromley.
Pedestrian seriously hurt after Bentley Road North collision in…
Walsall Advertiser 9 Jun
A MAN has suffered serious injuries after being involved in a road traffic collision with a car in Walsall this afternoon (June 9).
Two teenagers seriously injured after being electrocuted.
Birmingham Updates 1 Jun
Two teenager boys have suffered serious injuries after being electrocuted this morning (01/06).
Teen ‘critical’ after being electrocuted on Walsall train line in…
Walsall Advertiser 1 Jun
TWO teenagers have suffered serious injuries, one of whom is critical, after being electrocuted on a Walsall train line.
Trespasser electrocuted near Walsall train line
Walsall Advertiser 1 Jun
A TRESSPASSER has been electrocuted in Walsall.
TWP Manufacturing raise £1,650 for Midlands Air Ambulance
Made in the Midlands 31 May
Made in the Midlands and Threeway Pressings are proud to announce that we have collectively raised £1,650 for the Midlands Air Ambulance at our record-breaking Made in the Midlands exhibition.
Bike4Life Ride Out raises ‘Amazing’ £73,800 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
Solihull Observer 13 May
OVER 3,500 motorcyclists took part in the event...
Drayton Manor Park to reopen after death of 11-year-old schoolgirl
Lichfield Live 12 May
Drayton Manor Park will reopen tomorrow, bosses have confirmed.
Man breaks his legs after ‘fall’ from balcony in Castle Grounds
Tamworth Informed 12 May
THIS afternoon (Friday) a man was airlifted to hospital with suspected broken legs after falling from a balcony in Tamworth Castle Grounds.
More WM Air Ambulance