Weekly News Letter

Crime Updates

Smithswood 

Are you gearing up for a weekend of hearts & roses? What do you know about Romance Fraud 

Fraudsters pretend to be someone else with fake profiles on social media and dating sites. A common trick scammers do is to use other people’s photos, making their social media or dating profile look more realistic. If you’re not sure you can use the reverse image search on Google. This shows you if the picture is showing up somewhere else on the internet, on another person’s profile.

Keeping their identity a secret - Romance fraudsters are not honest about their names. 

They don’t reveal who they really are, and it’s rare for a scammer to talk to you on the phone. They use the same messages for lots of different people, to increase their chances of getting someone to engage with them. The romance scammers know that it’s possible to report someone on a social media site or dating app so they will try to get you to switch to a messaging app instead, like WhatsApp. Make sure people are genuine before sharing your phone number.

They might say they want to meet and even make plans, but it never actually happens. 

Don’t trust someone with your personal information if you haven’t met in real life.

Romance scammers build trust over time. They chat in a certain way that makes victims feel like they’re in a real-life relationship. This makes it easier for them to ask for money.

They usually say the money is to help with an urgent problem. Like bills to pay, a medical emergency or they need money to travel to meet up with you.

Never send money to someone you don’t know in real life. 

How to get help if you feel this has happened to you

Realising that a relationship is not real is hurtful, you can feel embarrassed and ashamed.

There’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. This happens to lots of people every year. 

If you think that you or someone you know has been the victim of a romance scam, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit actionfraud.police.uk

Fraudsters know that if friends and family find out about an online relationship, they could ask questions, expose them and try to stop it. If someone asks you to keep the relationship a secret, or to share personal details, be suspicious. They may be trying to isolate and control you.

If you enter an online relationship, tell your family or a trusted friend. Their advice could help keep you safe.

You can call the Police on 101 or webchat at www.westmidlands.police.uk  

Always phone 999 in an emergency.

We have literature on the different types of scams with us when holding our residential engagements, check below at Dates for your Diary for times & places where you can meet with us.

We have held a couple of engagements this week and have enjoyed discussing all manner of topics with our residents.

Crime prevention is always top topic for me, the little things we can do to keep ourselves and our property safe will make a difference.

For instance, my top three for tackling Vehicle Crime

·   Don’t leave valuables in the car.

·  Use a faraday pouch for key-less ignition vehicle keys, including spare keys. It stops the signal being intercepted.

·  To prevent cannibalism of front bumpers, park up close to something solid or bumper to bumper with another vehicle.

Burglary- There has been one report of burglary between Friday 6th February 2026 and Saturday 14th February 2026.

On 12th February 2026, unknown offender/s have entered the rear garden via an unlocked side gate then went around to the front of the property and entered the porch door which was unlocked. The offender/s have not been able to gain entry to the property on SWALLOW AVENUE.

Theft of motor vehicle - There has been two reports of Theft of a motor vehicle between Friday 6th February 2026 and Saturday 14th February 2026.

On 6th February 2026, unknown offender/s have stolen a locked parked and unattended Ford transit on Toby Jug Car Park, CHESTER ROAD.

On 12th February 2026, unknown offender/s have stolen a locked parked and unattended Jaguar XF Sport on HEATHER CLOSE.

Theft from a motor vehicle - There has been no reports of Theft from a motor vehicle between Friday 6th February 2026 and Saturday 14th February 2026.  

Interference with a motor vehicle - There have been no reports of Interference with a motor vehicle between Friday 6th February 2026 and Saturday 14th February 2026.  

What’s been happening? Good news

Another vehicle was seized by the team on the 11th of February. It had been stolen from the Merseyside area over four years ago, and in the meantime has found its way to our area with false plates. An investigation is underway to find the offender. 

On the 12th of February the team arrested a male for fraud by false representation (one of which caused the victim to lose £52,000) and blackmail. The team spent a further hour conducting a search of his house for evidence before he was interviewed by them.

Whilst officers were arriving at Kingshurst Library for our Cuppa with a Coppa meeting, we spotted a female who was wanted for recall to prison. The female was quickly arrested by response officers, and we continued with our meeting. 

On 13th February two of our officers attended Solihull College to talk to the students about careers in policing. The students got to meet local officers, forensic staff, firearm units, traffic and the mounted unit. 

The team attended Morrison's supermarket following reports of the two homeless brothers sleeping in a tent on their carpark. These males have previously been served Community Protection Notice; this includes accepting help from outreach people and drug rehabilitation. The tent has now been removed from the location. 

A call was made to the police regarding a missing 16-year-old girl from the Kingshurst area. Following extensive enquiries and calls made by our team, our officers located her in the Halesowen area, and she was picked up and returned safely back to her parents. 

Our Sgt and three of our officers also assisted with the road closure of the A452 Chester Road (near to Moorend Avenue, due to a serious road traffic collision. 

On the 14th of February we have also conducted a Speed Watch on Auckland Drive and have issued four warning letters. 

Dates for your Diary 2026

Cuppa with a Copper – 

Location: Kingshurst Library, Marston Drive, Birmingham B37 6BD

Date: Thursday 5th March 2026, Time 10:30 till 11:30hrs (subject to change due to the nature of our job)