A vigilante mob is patrolling the streets of Birmingham in response to a shocking wave of violent crime.

Nearly 400 people have joined the community watchdog group ‘We Stand Determined’, which formed three weeks ago on Facebook after losing trust in their local police.

They are encouraging all its members and the wider community to report any dangers and threats, day or night.

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Five thugs attacked a traffic warden in Birmingham in September (Picture: West Midlands Police/Facebook)

Birmingham has been rocked by a series of violent crimes (Picture: West Midlands Police/Facebook)

Organisers Wayne, Tracy and Michael founded the group after discovering a friend had been attacked in his home by thieves armed with hammers.


Earlier today, West Midlands Police released a disturbing video of a gang of seven thugs hacking a man on the floor with a machete.



We Stand Determined run twice-weekly patrols across the city, but insist the group is non-violent and seeks to work in partnership with the police, not against it.

Solihull-based college lecturer Wayne, 47, who does not wish to reveal his surname for fears over his safety, thinks crime in the UK is getting out of hand.

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A machete gang attack a man on the floor in broad daylight in Birmingham earlier this month (Picture: Facebook/Triangle News)

He said: ‘The way our group started, and the reaction we’ve had, has showed us how much local communities need groups like us to fill in the gaps the authorities simply don’t have the funding for.

‘There has been a recent spate of crime in Birmingham recently and Solihull in particular has fallen victim to an increase of just under 1,500 more cases so far this year.

‘People needed someone to turn to, someone who will listen and visit them in their home if a constituent is fearful for their own safety.

‘We’re vigilantes, but we’re vigilantes with a twist, working within the law and not against it.

‘Our group is a central place for the local community to come together to log crimes, comment and help stop crime in the area.’

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Sarweeth Rehman and Hussun Ashraf during a BMW carjacking in Shirley, West Midlands (Picture: SWNS)

Recently, Birmingham has been blighted by a wave of stabbings, shootings and murders.

Also plaguing the city are ‘Corsa Cannibals’ known for stripping down Vauxhall Corsas to sell the parts on.

Tracy said We Stand Determined is not against West Midlands Police, as they understand the force can only do what they can with limited funding.

The group has big plans to generate a totally new level of support in the area by organising buddy systems for the elderly and defence classes for anyone who feels unable to protect themselves.

They hope to grow bigger and claim to have representatives based in every area of the country willing to help.

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A forensic team at the scene after two men are shot on Victoria Road, Birmingham, earlier this month (Picture: @SnapperSK)

The organisers of We Stand Together say they have lost trust in police in Birmingham (Picture: Caters News Agency)

Tracy, 48, said: ‘We stress to our members that if they see something, they should notify the police first.

‘We would like to join up with the police, but we want to be able to make our own decisions on where the help is really needed, and not where the police tell us to be.’

Wayne added: ‘We hope to gather funding to support out future objectives, at the moment we are totally self-funded.



‘I just want to make a big difference to the area, and help anyone, anywhere, who needs it. Crime here is getting out of hand.

‘We’re so proud of our community, for standing up to what we believe is an ongoing issue that’s yet to have a solution.’

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said officers were aware of multiple groups but advised members to join police-approved Streetwatch programmes instead.

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