A mum said she feared going out - claiming part of Birmingham was turning into 'the wild west' following two machete street fights in broad daylight just days apart. City residents said crime was 'spiralling out of control' in Erdington.
Two teenagers were injured after a group of around 20 people armed with machetes and hammers fought in Somerset Road in broad daylight at around 6pm on Monday, March 25. An 18-year-old man and a youth-of-17 were later arrested on suspicion of violent disorder after they turned up in hospital with non-serious injuries.
That knife fight followed a street bust-up between a large group, some carrying machetes, less than a mile away on Streetly Road. Two men aged, in their 20s, were later arrested on suspicion of wounding after the attack at around 4.45pm, on Wednesday, March 20. Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton condemned the "appalling acts of violence", while fearful locals questioned the safety of the area.
READ MORE: Arrests as armed police race to Erdington 'machete street fight'
READ MORE: Teens injured after 'group armed with machetes and hammers' gather in Erdington street
A mum-of-one, in her 30s and who asked not to be named, from nearby Streetly Road, told BirminghamLive: "Attacks like this make me fearful or leaving the home and going out with my child. It feels like the wild west out there at the moment."
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, witnessed the attack on Somerset Road. The 37-year-old resident told BirminghamLive: "I was gobsmacked by the street fight. It was so shocking. They were going at each other with machetes and hammers in broad daylight.
"I don't know where they came from or if they came via the cut through. They suddenly spilled out into the middle of the street. They were young lads, probably in their teens, but it was hard to tell as they were wearing balaclavas.
"They were shouting... 'what, what?' I called the police, but they had already been notified and were on their way. They arrived within five minutes. At that point the lads had already run for it." BirminghamLive contacted West Midlands Police to ask if both incidents are linked.
Ms Hamilton, the Labour MP for Erdington, "utterly condemned" the violent clashes. She told BirminghamLive: "As the local Member of Parliament, I am deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our community and have been demanding more resources for Erdington. The recent shocking street fights involving machete-type weapons are appalling acts of violence that must be utterly condemned. The perpetrators must face the full force of the law."
Erdington Conservative councillor Robert Alden added: "Incidents like this prove why we need more policing on our streets. It's also really important that if anyone has seen any crime or has any information they report it either to police or Crimestoppers, so we can make sure all that information is used to try and catch anyone who has committed a crime in our local area."
A local dad-of-two, 62, said his teenage son was mugged for his airpods and believed the area had grown much worse for crime. He said: "We've been here a long time but it has got worse. Gangs are operating in the area and the violence erupts, usually over drugs. It's concerning."
A shopkeeper added: "We've been here 25 years - it has got worse. Street fights, drugs. There were some car cannibals nicking parts off a hire car out here the other way. Ten minutes later they were back taking the bumper - they don't care - it's crazy."
On Thursday, March 28, police were called to Birchdale Road, at its junction with Dallas Road, after a man in his 40s, was found with non life-threatening injuries, at around 1.40pm. In a separate operation, police charged two men with firearms offences after executing two warrants at addresses in Erdington. It followed guns and ammunition discovered following warrants at properties in Tyburn Road and Downside Road.
West Midlands Ambulance Service data revealed the B23 area - which covers Erdington, Perry Common, Stockland Green, Witton and Short Heath - had the highest number of callouts for people being stabbed for the whole of the city last year. It said 39 victims were knifed.
Stay up to date with the very latest from your Birmingham or West Midlands street or neighbourhood with our Birmingham News Email Updates sent straight to your inbox
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
