From the West Midlands Police website:

Detectives in Birmingham are appealing for help in tracing two men who assaulted and robbed a man in his own home.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday 25 March in Cheapside, Highgate, after the 40-year-old victim had been out drinking in Digbeth on the Saturday evening. He befriended two men whom he invited back to his flat shortly before midnight.

The men took advantage of the victim’s hospitality by punching and kicking him in the face, causing a fractured jaw. They also stabbed him with an unknown weapon causing superficial injuries to his head and arm.

The offenders left the address with the victim’s laptop, mobile phone, wallet and watch.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Gareth Holmes said: “This was a callous attack on a man who had trusted these men and invited them into his home.

“They repaid his hospitality by leaving him injured, and although the physical wounds will heal, he has been left afraid to return home and is staying with relatives.

“We hope that someone will come forward to help us identify the men responsible.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Force CID on 101 or information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Neighbourhood and Home Watch Week 2012 is due to take place between 16^th – 24^th June 2012.

This year’s national campaign will mark the 30 year anniversary of Neighbourhood and Home Watch across England and Wales and celebrate volunteering across the community.

Getting involved with the Digbeth Residents Association Neighbourhood Watch couldn’t be easier! Simply visit the Our Watch website, click on Sign Up in the top right corner, and follow the steps. Once you enter your postcode, you should be able to join the Digbeth Residents Association group to receive updates and keep involved in your community.

We’re hoping lots more members will join DRA ahead of Neighbourhood and Home Watch Week 2012!

The next meeting of Digbeth Residents Association will take place on Monday 14th May at 6pm in the Nomad room, ground floor Zellig, Custard Factory.

Changes are afoot with DRA, so if you can make only one meeting this year make it this one!

As well as important changes, we will also be discussing a DRA summer street party. We’d like each and every resident to have a part in the street party, whether that’s naming it, turning up to it or even volunteering their time to help with its organisation.

All residents, local businesses and interested parties are welcome to attend! Further details will be circulated shortly; if you would like to submit apologies, agenda items or just ask a question, please feel free to contact Secretary Pam.

From BBC News:

HS2 route in Digbeth could mean ‘bodies are exhumed’

Bodies from an old burial ground in Birmingham might have to be exhumed as part of plans for the government’s high-speed rail network.

Photo: BBC News

Under the plans, the Curzon Street terminal would be built on Park Street in Digbeth, a 19th Century graveyard. There are 25 gravestones on the site which was last used as a burial ground in the late 1800s and is currently used as a recreational space.

Mike Hodder from the city council said: “Every effort would have to be made to contact relatives and inform them of the disturbance.”

A statement from HS2 said: “As part of our work on designing the new station we are meeting with the council, community representatives and other interested parties to examine how to keep disruption to sites such as the historic Park Street burial ground to a minimum.”

Mr Hodder, Birmingham City Council’s planning archaeologist, said: “The remains would have to be removed and archaeologists would have to contact any living relatives, it would be similar to what happened when the Bull Ring was built.”

Is it just me or is HS2 seeming more and more like a whole load of effort for not much journey time saving? HS2 have, however, been keeping to their word to meet with the community, and sent the below letter to Digbeth Residents Association.

Digbeth-based architect and supporter of DRA, Joe Holyoak, attended the first HS2 Community Forum. If you are interested in attending the next, make sure to email community.forums@hs2.gsi.gov.uk

HS2 Community Forums

The minutes from the March meeting of Digbeth Residents Association can be found by clicking the links below; follow the links to ‘Download’ to view the files in Adobe Reader and print them as normal.

Minutes 05.03.12
Planning Update 05.03.12

Don’t forget that the next meeting of Digbeth Residents Association is on Monday 14th May at 6pm in the Nomad room, ground floor Zellig, Custard Factory. See you there!