The trader spoke on the reality of working on Villa Road

Dad-of-four running shop near Lozells murder scene says 'we have no choice' as he lists area's problems

Shopkeeper speaks out on his fears in area where fights erupt 'every day' and shoplifters sell stolen clothes on the streets to buy drugs

by · Birmingham Live

A Birmingham shopkeeper has lifted the lid on the reality of working in a city area marred by street fights, drug dealing and yob behaviour. In Lozells, an area blighted by stabbings, shootings and violence over the years, he admits he's afraid to go to work.

Asking repeatedly not to be named, the dad-of-four said the area, particularly Villa Road where he worked, was worse than ever. But he felt he, along with other traders, had "no choice" but to stay.

Speaking after a murder in nearby Hunters Road on Monday, he said: "I am really scared to go into work, you never know at any minute what's going to happen." The 50-year-old said he witnessed fights weekly, with the latest brawl days before the incident, although it was not known if it was connected.

READ MORE: Birmingham mum horrified over knife display in UK high streets after husband stabbed to death

The area's drug problem had also worsened over the past five years, with car parks used as dealing hotspots, he said. Shoplifters keen to get their next drug hit travelled to Villa Road to sell their stolen produce to locals too, he said.

Issues with parking and fly-tipped rubbish were also pushing customers away from their shops, he alleged. The trader, who has lived in the area for nearly 40 years, told BirminghamLive: "It's completely changed. It got better, now it's gone worse than in the 80s. The last five, ten years it's getting worse again now.

"We need the police and council to step up as well. We need more patrols. It's not safe really- for customers and traders as well.

"I've seen people smash the windows of shops. There's still some broken you'll see them on the shops. It's an ongoing problem. They're fighting amongst themselves and hitting into the shop and that's it."

Such fights were a common sight, he said, with violence spiralling in the area, particularly over the last couple of years. Hunters Road, which joins with Villa Road, this week was the scene of a murder - and critical injury - as trouble flared at 12.30am.

Police at the scene in Hunters Road, Lozells (Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)

The road was sealed off as detectives investigated an incident which left a man dead and another fighting for his life. Police were trying to establish the circumstances behind it and urged those with information to get in touch.

Responding to the news, the trader added: "It's sad news that another guy has lost their life. It's terrible news for all of us and his family. We're all really upset.

"I saw a fight a couple of days before. Police did come, and they all disappeared. They were fighting outside, about ten - 15 of them. I don't know who but a lot of boys fight every day. It's been going on every week.

"We lost a life, we don't know [if we could lose] another one now. This thing is serious. It's really, really bad." The ongoing issues are causing fear amongst locals, including customers and shopkeepers alike, he insisted.

He continued: "I am really scared to go into work. I never know what's going to happen, you never know at any minute what's going to happen. Now I've seen the fighting next to me with my own eyes. It's happening every day.

"Drugs are the main problem now. I've seen people shoplifting coming from outside, selling and buying drugs. If you stand out there on Villa Road, you'll get all sorts of clothes, they start selling for £5-10."

He said he had raised concerns a "number of times" to the council as he continued to see a decline in the amount of customers visiting Villa Road.

Latest crime in Birmingham

"You open a shop for the customers to make a living and now, there's no customers so it's not safe. Even we don't feel safe. We have no choice, what can we do? You see all the time people dumping rubbish on Hunters Road and Villa Road," he added.

"Cars have been stolen from the trader, one night he lost ten cars in one night a couple of months. Another car got stolen three, four days ago, it was about £20,000."

Asked his plans, he said: "I don't see I have any choices where I can go. It is difficult, it's more stressful as well. It's not just me, it's very hard for all of the traders. You spend a lot of money on these shops, and we have no choice really. We're looking for customers but there's no customers on Villa Road."

West Midlands Police confirmed it was aware of the "concerns raised by residents and business owners", adding patrols had been stepped up amid the murder probe. Det Insp Sara Beech, from Birmingham Police, said: “We have met with partners including the local authority this week, and we are working together to ensure the area is a safe environment for residents and business owners.

"There will be an increased presence in the area, and we encourage members of the public to speak with officers and share their concerns. We are here to speak with and listen to community concerns. If you see anything suspicious, report it immediately by calling 999 or 101. Alternatively, you can contact us via Live Chat on our website, and we will investigate.”

Do you live or work in Lozells? We would like to hear your thoughts about the area. You can contact us by emailing stephanie.balloo@reachplc.com