Birmingham has reached a breaking point. In just over a month, our city witnessed four stabbings in the City Centre, one tragically taking the life of 34-year-old Katie Fox, who was simply trying to go home. Three teenagers were also stabbed, with one left seriously injured. In September alone, 6,540 violent and sexual offences were reported across Birmingham, of which 2,749 occurred in the City Centre alone.
Alongside this, videos circulating online of gangs fighting, fireworks being used as weapons against police officers, persistent anti-social behaviour, and most recently, a double stabbing after a violent brawl in the early hours of the 6th of December, have shaken public confidence. Residents tell us they no longer feel safe walking home, visiting high streets, or enjoying our city’s night-time economy. Businesses say customers are staying away.
This is why Birmingham Local Conservatives are calling for the Council to declare a Public Safety Emergency and adopt our City-Wide Safety Action Plan. Our proposals set out immediate, practical measures to restore safety, improve visibility of policing, and rebuild confidence.
What we are calling for:
The Council to declare a Public Safety Emergency and adopt our City-Wide Safety Action Plan, including:
- Urgent review of police resources in crime hotspots, and an end to pulling neighbourhood officers away from the communities they serve.
- Creation of a High Street Safety Task Force, bringing political leaders, BIDs, community groups, and police together to deliver a three-month rapid-action plan.
- Expansion of community policing and neighbourhood watch schemes, giving residents real support.
- Quarterly public reporting on crime trends, footfall, and progress, so Birmingham residents can hold leaders to account.
- Switching back on and replacing street lights that have been dimmed, switched off, or removed unnecessarily. Safer streets must be well-lit.
- Ensuring planning policies bake in crime prevention, and that developer contributions fund safety measures.
- Prioritising public safety in the Council’s capital investment programme.
This plan is practical, deliverable, and urgently needed.
As Cllr Robert Alden has said:
“Residents are facing an unacceptable spate of violent crime. A city that feels unsafe cannot thrive. We urgently need a refocus of resources and a clear plan of action.”
And Cllr Ewan Mackey warns:
“Four stabbings in just over a month is four tragedies, and as with poor Katie Fox, when fatal, the tragedy is 10-fold. How many times do Brummies have to wake up to headlines of another family undergoing horrendous heartache before this uncaring council takes this public safety emergency seriously?”
Why this petition matters
When Full Council met in December, rather than attempt to tackle the growing threat to public safety, Labour argued that they were already doing enough on violent crime. Local Conservatives did manage to secure some agreements however, such as the need for local hubs to both be and look safe, and to jointly call on the West Midlands Police and the Police & Crime Commissioner to conduct an urgent review of resources and ramp up patrols. The Council also agreed that those street lights which had been dimmed or switched off would be restored.
By signing this petition, you are calling on Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police to take those extra steps and:
- Treat violent crime as the emergency it is
- Back a serious, city-wide plan
- Restore safety in our communities
- Keep residents, workers, and visitors safe
Birmingham deserves streets that are safe - day and night.
Birmingham deserves leadership that acts.
Add your name today and help us to continue the fight to make Birmingham safe again.