PICTURES: Eighteen men from feuding families banned from Pelsall
Eighteen men from two feuding families have been banned from entering a village after violence broke out at its carnival.
The men, aged between 18 and 48, have been served with injunctions stopping them from going to Pelsall for three years.
The orders secured by West Midlands Police came after trouble flared out on Norton Road at last July's carnival.
This year's carnival takes place Saturday.
WATCH: Why police pursued the injunctions
West Midlands Police said the men, from Coalpool in Walsall, Stonnal near Walsall Wood and Rushall, are suspected of involvement in a series of violent disorders in the area,.
They are also thought to be behind criminal damage and antisocial behaviour.
Eight of the men received full injunctions granted on June 15.
They are for Lee Hickinbottom aged 43. from Coalpool; Liam Hickinbottom, 25, from Coalpool; Paul Halls, 27, from Coalpool; Dale Halls, 27, from Coalpool; Regan Halls,18, from Coalpool; Jake Hurst, 30, from Stonnal; Michael Walker,37, from Coalpool; Scott Bannister, 28 from Coalpool.
Interim civil injunctions have been granted against Andrew Betteley, 53, from Rushall and eight men who cannot be named at this time for legal reasons
It means they cannot contact members of the opposing family and their associates, be in possession of weapons, enter various exclusion zones within the borough, including Pelsall, and, for some, enter some pubs.
Chief Superintendent Andy Parsons said: “We applied for these injunctions following a series of violent incidents in Bloxwich, Pelsall and the surrounding areas.
"They will have a significant impact for residents of Walsall as these feuding families have been involved in anti-social behaviour for a number of years, causing disruption and fear for many.
“Some are suspected of involvement in a series of violent disorders and the injunctions will assist us in addressing the behaviour of people who seek to cause harm in our communities.
“Injunctions are never sought lightly, we’ve made exhaustive efforts with these men and their families to try and steer them away from engaging in anti-social behaviour and criminality.
“Some have previously been managed by police offender managers but refused to engage with intervention programmes or schemes aimed at diverting people away from crime."
If any of the conditions of the injunctions are breached, police have the power to arrest them.
They are the latest in a series of injunctions secured by West Midlands Police as the force continues to disrupt anti-social activity.
Ch Supt Andy Parsons has called on the support of the public to help police the injunctions.
He added: “We need our communities to act as our eyes and ears and inform us if they see these men associating with each other or if they see them in the exclusion zones. Anyone with information on crime in their area is urged to contact their local neighbourhood team on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
