A 21-year-old man from Sutton Coldfield has been charged following a police operation in the area over the weekend.
Police Stop Leads to Arrest
Officers from West Midlands Police's Operation Skybridge team stopped a man on Springfield Road in Sutton Coldfield at approximately 2pm on Saturday, January 3. The patrol became suspicious of the individual, leading to a search.
During the stop, police discovered two significant items. A knife was recovered, along with an electronically-powered bicycle (e-bike) that had been illegally modified. The modification allowed the bike to travel at speeds exceeding the legal limit for such vehicles.
Charges and Court Date
The man was identified as Fagen McCarthy, aged 21, of Sutton Coldfield. He was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with multiple offences.
The charges brought against McCarthy are:
- Possession of a knife.
- Driving a motor vehicle without a valid licence.
- Driving a motor vehicle without valid insurance.
Following his arrest, McCarthy was bailed and is scheduled to appear before Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Monday, January 20.
Focus on Community Concerns
West Midlands Police confirmed that both the knife and the modified e-bike were seized as part of their investigation. The force highlighted the role of the specialist team involved.
"The Skybridge team work alongside communities, where they address their needs and concerns, and then target the main offences in that area," a police spokesperson stated.
This incident underscores the ongoing police focus on tackling street-level offences, particularly those involving weapons and illegal vehicles, based on direct feedback from local residents.
