'I'm scared leaving my shop at night' trader has her say on armed criminals crackdown

Traders raise concerns about Chelmsley Wood crime rise after fights, knives and e-bike use

Sam Greenway - Local Democracy Reporter | Monday 17th February 2025 9:15pm

A concerned Chelmsley Wood trader has said she is scared to leave her shop at night due to gangs of masked youths hanging around.

West Midlands Police and Solihull Council are planning a crackdown on crime at the area's bus interchange following reports of masked criminals armed with knives in the area.

A trader of a shop not far from the interchange says she is worried about the rise of crime in the area where police took more than 100 calls in just four months up to last November.

“I have seen fights with punches thrown and security come up,” she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“At weekends we see lots of young lads covering their faces with masks in the evening. 

“In the day I don't leave my shop. 

“I'm happy with the security around here – but I think when I'm by myself someone could come in with a knife. 

“I'm scared of leaving at the end of the day. It is dark.

“I have to call my son and we leave together.”

The trader of nine years, who worked at Chelmsley Wood Indoor Market before opening a shop in the shopping centre three years ago, said when she first started there was no trouble. 

“It has got worse over the years,” she said.

“It was a lovely area.”

A consultation into creating a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the area has been launched. 

It would be in place for three years and ban specific acts in a 'restricted area' covering the Chelmsley Circle-based exchange, KFC and McDonald’s fast food restaurants.

The proposed prohibitions include being in a group of three or more people or wearing a face covering if being suspected of causing a nuisance.

Failure to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of a £2,500 fine but the trader, who did not want to be named, said she was sceptical whether it would stop offenders. 

“They don't care,” she said.

“And if they are wearing a mask how are you going to catch them to fine them?

“I don't know how you stop it.”

Another of the planned prohibitions is riding, cycling, or using an E-bike, E-scooter, motorbike or quad bike within the restricted area.

Another trader Roger Cufflin, owner of Munch Cards and Gifts, said this was an issue he saw.

“Kids regularly come up riding round on their bikes at speed – that is a pain,” he said. 

“I might go to do the banking and quite often the bikes are around.

“If they are coming towards you, you have to get out of their way rather than they get out of yours.

“You get gangs of youths hanging around the bus interchange, causing a general nuisance.

“I drive here, go to the car and drive straight home at night – I don't hang around much.

“I haven't seen people with knives, but you just have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Another trader who has worked in Chelmsley Wood for 30 years said he had not seen much of the issues but believed that was likely due to not being around at night. 

“Day time is completely different,” he said.

“You see the odd e-bike round here during the day.” 

The consultation into the proposed Public Space Protection Order, which runs until March 16, can be found at yourvoicesolihull.uk.engagementhq.com/chelmsley-wood-public-space-protection-order-pspo-consultation

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