A political row has erupted in Birmingham after Conservative councillors called for the city council to declare a public safety emergency in response to a series of violent attacks.
Opposition Demands Action Plan
The Conservative group is urging the Labour-run authority to adopt its proposed ‘action plan to make Birmingham safer’, which comes amid recent stabbings in the city centre. Their motion, set for debate at a full council meeting on Tuesday, calls for a number of specific measures.
These include establishing a high street safety task force involving business groups to tackle violent and sexual crimes. The plan also demands that West Midlands Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner conduct an urgent review of resources permanently allocated to town centres and hotspots, with a call to ramp up dedicated patrols.
Furthermore, the motion proposes the reallocation of existing council emergency resources to support crime-prevention, which could involve switching back on or replacing streetlights that were previously dimmed.
Councillor Robert Alden, leader of the opposition Conservative group, stated, "When residents are afraid to walk home or enjoy our high streets, it damages the very heart of our city." His colleague, Councillor Ewan Mackey, added, "A city that feels unsafe cannot thrive."
Labour Hits Back at 'Playing Politics' Claims
The Labour administration has strongly criticised the opposition's move, asserting that tackling violent crime is already a top priority and accusing the Conservatives of "playing politics" with public safety.
Councillor Jamie Tennant, the cabinet member for community safety, acknowledged that recent violent attacks had "shocked our city". He emphasised the council's ongoing work, revealing that from December 1, the number of Community Safety Officers working across Birmingham will be doubled.
"We continue to work with the police and our partners to tackle the scourge of knife crime and combat violence against women and girls," Coun Tennant said. "The council is already working with police to develop an action plan to make our city centre safer. The Conservative Group will have the chance to play a constructive role in its development."
He also launched a counter-attack, arguing that the West Midlands had lost hundreds of experienced police officers under successive Conservative governments, a situation he claimed Labour is beginning to rectify.
Ongoing Efforts and Police Response
Council leader John Cotton has previously stated the authority's commitment to tackling knife crime through coordinated prevention, education, and enforcement.
In response to the recent incidents, West Midlands Police confirmed it would increase patrols in central Birmingham. The force has also expanded its Project Guardian Taskforce, which now has 50 officers dedicated to it, including two teams in Birmingham.
The police reported that this work is having an impact, with recent crime figures showing knife crime has reduced by 16 per cent and serious youth violence has fallen by more than 13 per cent in the region. A police statement highlighted their focus on the "life-changing impact" of weapons and their work with the Violence Reduction Partnership to divert young people from crime.
Regarding street lighting, the council confirmed it regularly inspects and maintains its assets across the city, noting an £8 million programme to replace ageing lights with modern LED types and the replacement of 1,000 end-of-life lighting columns.
