The video will start in 8 Cancel

Latest news straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Residents have forked out almost £4,000 to hire private security guards to patrol their crime-hit neighbourhood.

And each of the 76 households who have signed up to the £690-per-month scheme say it's worth every single penny.

Those living near Princess Alice Retail Park in New Oscott, Sutton Coldfield have been paying a private security firm since banding together in December 2018.

Locals living in the 105 homes in Hampton Close, Warwick Road, Churchill Road and Tudor Close pay £10 per household each month.

"Absolutely," replied Ian Cole, when asked if locals are happy paying £120 per year in private security, as opposed to having police officers on the beat.

"We feel like we have to pay for this for our own safety.

(Image: TIM EASTHOPE/BIRMINGHAM MAIL)

"There were 137 thefts in the area recently and more than 40 were linked to the retail park.

"We've had two attempted break-ins, one was at 2am the other day.

"The park which links the retail park and our estate is used like a rat run.

"Shoplifting is rife, the amount of stolen goods we've all found hidden in grit bins and bushes is constant."

Ian says he's forked out £1,000 on securing his own home, from installing anti-snap locks to CCTV.

The 56-year-old is one of 76 locals paying a monthly fee, with each of the householders using WhatsApp to communicate and to look out for each other.

"WhatsApp works so well," he added.

"There's three co-ordinators and it's just a really good social network.

(Image: TIM EASTHOPE/BIRMINGHAM MAIL)

"Cars loitering around are reported, attempted break-ins and known gangs.

"We're all looking out for each other and, again, it helps keep everyone safe.

"A few of us have confronted known shoplifters operating and we do get abused.

"A lot of the families here who used to have tea and then go to the park and play don't bother now, you've got the gangs on the park between 5pm and 7pm most nights."

Security guards conduct four patrols a week at three random times of each day.

"The patrols are random which is exactly what we want," added John Edkins, who helped launch the residents' group .

(Image: TIM EASTHOPE/BIRMINGHAM MAIL)

"None of us know when the guards come, they come randomly three times across the four days.

"There's lots of enthusiasm to continue [paying].

"A guard challenged an offender at 4am who targeted a bloke who was defrosting his car at 4am, it's working.

Wards Where Few Burglaries Were Solved last year authority // ward // burglaries in 2018/19 // % no suspect identified // number of no suspect identified

Birmingham // Sutton Walmley & Minworth // 125 // 96.0% // 120

Birmingham // Sutton Mere Green // 90 // 95.6% // 86

Birmingham // Sutton Reddicap // 97 // 93.8% // 91

Birmingham // Hall Green North // 192 // 93.8% // 180

Birmingham // Hall Green South // 111 // 93.7% // 104

Birmingham // Sutton Four Oaks // 63 // 93.7% // 59

Birmingham // Quinton // 326 // 93.3% // 304

Birmingham // Bromford & Hodge Hill // 173 // 93.1% // 161

Birmingham // Shard End // 147 // 92.5% // 136

Birmingham // Sutton Roughley // 91 // 92.3% // 84

Birmingham // Bournville & Cotteridge // 281 // 92.2% // 259

Birmingham // Alum Rock // 130 // 91.5% // 119

Birmingham // Perry Common // 58 // 91.4% // 53

Birmingham // Kingstanding // 170 // 90.6% // 154

Birmingham // Frankley Great Park // 201 // 90.5% // 182

Birmingham // Glebe Farm & Tile Cross // 275 // 90.2% // 248

Birmingham // Acocks Green // 271 // 90.0% // 244

Birmingham // Druids Heath & Monyhull // 240 // 90.0% // 216 Source: Police UK

"Fellow residents are always wanting to pay. Some have set up standing orders, others pay cash.

"It's about feeling reassured and, with this, we all do. It's working well."

In latest crime figures available, there were 43 incidents reported in vicinity between Tesco Extra, Princess Alice Retail Park and neighbouring estate in March.