Behind the grand facades and manicured lawns of one of Birmingham's most exclusive streets, a stark reality is emerging for its wealthy residents. On Carpenter Road in Edgbaston, colloquially known as the city's 'Millionaire's Row', locals have spoken out about living with a fear of crime and dangerous driving, challenging the perception of idyllic, secure luxury.
The Glamour and the Grit of an Exclusive Address
Carpenter Road is the epitome of affluence, situated less than two miles from Birmingham city centre. The street is lined with multi-million pound mansions, many featuring expansive driveways, vast gardens, and private tennis courts. Properties here command prices well over £1 million, with one of the most recent transactions soaring past the £4.5 million mark.
Yet, during a visit by BirminghamLive, the veneer of pure glamour was peeled back. Residents, who often wished to remain anonymous, highlighted two pressing issues that dominate their daily lives: security and road safety.
Security Concerns on a Street of Mansions
One woman, walking along the leafy avenue, was frank in her assessment. "It is a lovely area but you don't feel safe, crime is bad here," she stated, pointing to a notable absence of police presence. The primary criminal activity plaguing the road is car break-ins, a concern echoed by another local who works at one of the properties.
"We are very security conscious, we have a lot of cameras," the worker explained, underscoring the proactive measures residents feel forced to take. "The main thing is people get their cars broken into along the road. That's a big concern." This focus on surveillance highlights the tension between opulent living and the need for constant vigilance.
The Peril on a Single-Lane Road
Compounding the anxiety over crime is the issue of speeding on what is a predominantly single-lane road, with parking lining one side. The same worker revealed that while the speed limit is clearly set at 20mph, it is frequently ignored. "The speed is supposed to be 20mph but people do speed along here," she said, indicating a threat to pedestrians and residents alike within the confines of their own neighbourhood.
The juxtaposition is striking. This is an area where the value of bricks and mortar is immense, yet the fundamental comforts of safety and peace of mind are, according to those who live there, being eroded. The report, dated 17 January 2026, paints a picture of a community where wealth does not automatically buy a trouble-free existence, and where the challenges of urban life reach even the most prestigious postcodes.
