Drugs and tobacco seized on 'lawless' high street

More than 50,000 illegal cigarettes and drugs have been seized by police on a high street once described by traders as "lawless".

A dedicated police team deployed to Erdington High Street, Birmingham, last year because of high crime levels, discovered the cigarettes after carrying out a warrant at an unnamed premises on Thursday.

Working with Trading Standards, they also found more than 2.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco while searching the property, and a car linked to it, which was also confiscated.

The illicit goods had an estimated value of more than £40,000, police said, adding that investigating officers would be seeking to explore the shop's closure.

Traders told the BBC in 2024 that daily shoplifting and drug-dealing was damaging trade.

The force started Operation Fearless in Erdington in January 2025 to crack down on criminality.

A dedicated neighbourhood team of six officers began patrols a few months later.

Last week, police also seized 27 wraps of suspected cocaine and heroin just off the high street, near Wilton Road, the West Midlands force said.

A male offender was given a community resolution in relation to the discovery, with an investigation into the drugs ongoing.

Sgt Claire Millard, from the Erdington neighbourhood team, said she knew locals valued a visible police presence and she was grateful for their information and support.

"I hope that it's clear through our patrols and enforcement activity that we are acting on their concerns," she said.

"When people tell us they're worried about the supply of drugs and illicit goods on the high street, enforcement like this is key to dealing with that."

Acting Det Insp Chloe Morgan said the operation remained "committed to working with local officers as they work hard to tackle crime on the high street".

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.