Kings Heath shop owners say police presence has vanished amid wave of theft and vandalism
Businesses in Kings Heath, Birmingham report frequent shoplifting, vandalism and a perceived lack of police patrols, leaving staff and customers feeling unsafe.
Shop staff on Kings Heath's main street recount multiple incidents of theft, smashed windows and assaults, such as teenagers stealing trays of snacks at Subway and a female employee being attacked at Greggs. Since the closure of Kings Heath police station in 2025, officers have been operating from Moseley, and residents claim the neighbourhood now lacks visible police protection. Business Improvement District representative Matt Powell and councillors Jordan Phillip and Hamzah Sheikh say the community feels abandoned and fear a rise in vigilantism.
Police officials, including Insp Hayley Thompson, assert they are taking anti-social behaviour seriously, while West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster points to recent funding for additional officers and PCSOs. Nevertheless, families of youths threatened with a knife in Kings Heath Park report no follow-up, and a petition urges a coordinated multi-agency approach to restore safety.
Why it matters
The story shows how reduced police visibility can erode public confidence and affect local commerce.
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