NOVEMBER 1ST

SEVEN TEENAGERS have been arrested after eight lads were attacked and robbed by Halloween-masked thieves in Selly Oak.

The victims, in their late teens and early 20s, were all forced to hand over their phones, wallets or items of clothing by the gang, as they walked through Selly Oak on Halloween.

Some were attacked whilst out with friends, whilst others were pushed to the floor and beaten whilst making their way home alone between 7pm and 8pm on 31 October.

The robbers, who were in a large group, all wore masks or had scarves across their faces to try and prevent themselves from being identified but quick action by local officers foiled their plans.

After a series of emergency calls through to Bournville Police, local officers flooded the area and swooped on a group of teenagers in the area of Healey Road at around 8pm.

All seven, aged between 13 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and remain in police custody this afternoon, being questioned by detectives investigating the linked series.

Robbery remains a priority for police across the West Midlands, with Birmingham South in particular seeing significant reductions. Since April, there have been 118 fewer victims of robbery in the area compared to the same period of last year.