Exclusive new police statistics have laid bare the alarming level of criminal activity on a central Birmingham street where a woman was tragically stabbed to death.
A Fatal Attack and Community Shock
Katie Fox, aged 34, died in hospital after being knifed in the neck at a bus stop on Smallbrook Queensway on the night of Friday, November 7. The incident, described by authorities as a "worrying" and unprovoked attack, sent shockwaves through the city centre community.
In response to the tragedy, extra police officers were deployed to the area to offer public reassurance. A 21-year-old man, Djeison Rafael, has been charged in connection with the killing and was remanded to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on the morning of November 10.
Nine Months of Crime Data Revealed
The section of Smallbrook Queensway near the TK Maxx store, the precise location of the fatal stabbing, has been a hotspot for criminal activity this year. According to the latest available data from West Midlands Police, a total of 202 crimes were reported on this stretch of road between January and September.
This equates to an average of nearly 29 offences per month, or roughly one crime reported every single day. The data, sourced from the official police.uk website, provides a stark, month-by-month breakdown of the issues plaguing the area.
A Detailed Breakdown of Offences
Shoplifting was the most frequently reported crime throughout the nine-month period. However, the data also shows a concerning number of 'violence and sexual offences' logged by police. This broad category encompasses everything from common assault and grievous bodily harm to sex attacks and rape.
The monthly crime figures for Smallbrook Queensway near TK Maxx are as follows:
- September: 18 crimes (13 shoplifting, 3 violence and sexual offences)
- August: 24 crimes (9 shoplifting, 3 anti-social behaviour, 3 violence and sexual offences)
- July: 20 crimes (12 shoplifting, 3 drugs offences, 3 violence and sexual offences)
- June: 29 crimes (15 shoplifting, 7 violence and sexual offences, 1 possession of weapons)
- May: 25 crimes (11 shoplifting, 5 violence and sexual offences, 1 possession of weapons)
- April: 15 crimes (8 shoplifting, 3 violence and sexual offences)
- March: 29 crimes (13 shoplifting, 6 violence and sexual offences, 2 robbery)
- February: 26 crimes (11 shoplifting, 4 violence and sexual offences, 1 possession of weapons)
- January: 16 crimes (12 shoplifting, 2 violence and sexual offences)
The figures paint a clear picture of a location grappling with persistent criminality, culminating in the devastating loss of a young woman's life. The community and authorities are now faced with the challenge of addressing these deep-seated issues to prevent further tragedy.
