Calls for bollards after ram-raids at two Willenhall shop days apart

 Savers on Market Place and B-Mart Premier Store on Stafford Street were both ram-raided in December last year.

CCTV footage recorded at B-Mart at 5am on December 5 shows a car reversing into the metal shutters, destroying the glass doors behind it. Three men then crawled under the shutters and into the shop, one of them carrying a tip bag.

West Midlands Police confirmed cigarettes and alcohol were taken from a shop. Councillor Simran Cheema said B-Mart was also ram-raided earlier in 2024.

The second ram-raid took place around 4am on December 11, 2024. A window in Savers was smashed and later boarded up. West Midlands Police was not able to confirm whether the two December incidents were linked or not.

Councillor Cheema has called for bollards to be installed outside the shops in the area, but said the process has dragged out by the council. 

She said the business owner at B-Mart had even offered to pay for the bollards, but getting permission from the local authority had not been possible.

Councillor Cheema said: “They’re kicking the can down the road. They responded that there was no budget and that a request to put bollards in has to meet a certain criteria.

"I don’t understand why they make it so difficult. A number of businesses are being targeted. The CCTV footage is horrific.

“I’m incredibly frustrated that Walsall Council has not yet taken action to help businesses like the B-Mart Premiere store. 

"They need to take a wider approach to resolve issues experienced in the town centre. The council should be here to support rather than making things difficult.”

Councillor Garry Perry, leader of Walsall Council, said: “The council’s policy is that security bollards may be installed, subject to any required conservation area approvals, when the request is supported by either two ward councillors, or the portfolio holder, and West Midlands Police. 

"There is sufficient space fronting the store to allow installation should the requisite support be gained.

“The team will seek elected members and West Midlands Police views. If supportive, a cost estimate will be produced for further consideration.”

A spokesperson from West Midlands Police said: “We’re investigating following a ram-raid in Stafford Street, Willenhall, at around 5am on December 5. A quantity of cigarettes and alcohol were taken from a shop. We’re following active lines to identify who was responsible.

“We’re also investigating another ram-raid in Market Place, Willenhall, at around 4am on December 11. We’re carrying out further enquiries around this incident, and to ascertain whether they are linked or not.”

Anyone with information should contact West Midlands Police using Live Chat on its website, or by calling 101, and quote 20/990076/24 or 20/996090/24.