Armed men clash outside nursery shortly before cars collide
Armed men clashed outside a nursery shortly before the cars they were in crashed on a nearby road.
At least one of the men involved in the incident in Bearwood is believed to have had a gun.
The drama started when armed men were seen in two cars outside ABC Day Nursery in Wigorn Road at around 1.15pm on Friday.
The men were involved in a confrontation next to the nursery shortly before two cars crashed on nearby Lightwoods Hill and then drove off.
Witnesses said it appeared that the drivers of the cars had been deliberately trying to hit each other.
A resident who lives on Wighorn Road said: "I was putting my bins out when I saw two cars, one was dark and the other was light.
"One of them got out of the car and kicked the other vehicle, it was right outside the nursery which is open today, I can’t stop thinking about what would have happened if any of the children were outside.
"The cars then drove up and down the road, swerving like they were trying to hit each other.
"I shouted to them to watch out for other cars, I didn’t really know what was happening, but they then drove off together.
"I was really shook up afterwards, it’s not something that usually happens on our road."
Wigorn Road and Lightwoods Hill were both cordoned off in the aftermath of the incident and a cone was placed on the road outside the nursery, which caters for children aged six weeks to five years.
The cordon on Wigorn Road was lifted at around 6pm but officers from the Operational Support Unit continued to comb Lightwoods Hill into the evening.
No suspects have been arrested.
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called to reports of men seen in a car with weapons, including a gun, on Wigorn Road, Smethwick at around 1.15pm this afternoon.
"A further incident took place shortly after on Lightwoods Hill where we know two cars were involved in a collision. Both left the scene.
"One is described as a dark vehicle and the other white.
"Investigations are ongoing to determine exactly what has taken place and to try and find those responsible.
"We'd ask anyone who saw anything or has any dash cam footage to get in touch as soon as possible via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101. Please quote log number 2200 of 26 June."
