Over 8,000* children from 54 schools across the region today picked up a bat and ball as part of Schools Cricket Day – the largest single-day cricket participation event in UK history.

As part of Schools Cricket day, over 400 children taking part in a dedicated cricket session at Edgbaston, supported by former England star and 2009 World Cup Winner, Lydia Greenway OBE.

Schools Cricket Day marks 50 days to go to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup gets underway at Edgbaston, which is set to inspire the next generation of players

As part of its tournament legacy plan, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is aiming for 500,000 women and girls to play cricket in 2026

The landmark moment marks a major milestone on the road to this summer’s must-see tournament, which gets underway on 12th June at Edgbaston, kicking off with England vs Sri Lanka before Edgbaston hosts a further three fixtures, including Bangladesh vs Netherlands followed by India vs Pakistan just four hours later.

From first-time batters and bowlers in playgrounds, to competitive matches on sports fields, girls and boys across the area came together to play, learn and be inspired, as schools across England and Wales truly catch the spirit of the game.

Schools Cricket Day is part of the ECB’s ambitions to harness the power of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales to build a legacy that inspires the next generation of girls to say cricket is a game for them. This year alone, through various initiatives and programmes, the ECB is aiming to see 500,000 women and girls playing cricket, 300 women taking up key leadership roles within the game’s administration, and 500 Champions of Change created as part of the Young Cricket Collective, which will empower young girls to volunteer and make change at their local cricket clubs.

The day also features bespoke resources and games created by the ICC’s global charity partner, UNICEF through its “Rights in Play” programme. The games, which were integrated into the day’s activities, focused on increasing understanding of child rights through play and participation in cricket. These sit alongside a range of cricket activity ideas on a dedicated schools’ resource hub.

Former England star and 2009 World Cup winner, Lydia Greenway OBE, said:

“Having the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup coming to England and Wales in just 50 days is incredibly exciting. It’s a real chance to put the women’s game front and center on a global stage, and moments like Schools Cricket Day show exactly why that matters.

“When I think back to my own debut in 2003, the opportunities for girls in cricket were so different. It’s brilliant to see initiatives like this taking the game directly to school children here in Birmingham and across the country – using the opportunity of hosting a home World Cup to leave a legacy beyond the action on the field.”

The walk coincides with the official Birmingham launch of WalkSafe, one of the UK’s leading personal safety apps.

The event forms an important part of the city’s continued commitment to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and raising awareness of stalking during National Stalking Awareness Month. It also supports the Home Office pilot work on reducing Knife Crime.

Championing Safer Public Spaces

Taking place on 24 April 2026, the Justice Walk will see multiagency representatives walk through Birmingham city centre to highlight the collective effort being made to improve safety, strengthen partnership working and promote visible action against stalking and other forms of gender-based violence.

The initiative aims to reinforce Birmingham’s dedication to prevention, early intervention and enhanced support for residents and visitors moving through the city’s streets and night-time economy.

Introducing WalkSafe to Birmingham

The event will also mark the formal launch of WalkSafe across Birmingham City Centre, an innovative personal safety app designed to empower users through real-time safety information and connection tools.

WalkSafe (and the enhanced WalkSafe+) provides a suite of features that support safer journeys and improved situational awareness, including:

• National Safe Space Map identifying trained venues and support locations offering help, welfare support, free period products and phone charging points.
• Journey sharing tools allowing trusted contacts to follow journeys live and receive alerts if the user does not arrive as expected.
• SOS emergency function sending live location information to nominated contacts when a user feels unsafe.
• Community reporting giving users the ability to flag environmental issues such as poor lighting or obstructed pathways.
• Night‑time safety insights, including visibility of local welfare services such as street marshals and pastors.

WalkSafe has grown rapidly through collaborative work with police forces, local authorities, and community safety partners nationwide, supporting a shared ambition to make public spaces safer for everyone. Information about the app can be found here.

Waqar Ahmed, Assistant Director for Community Safety and Resilience at Birmingham City Council, said: “Creating a safer Birmingham is a shared responsibility, and the Justice Walk demonstrates the strength of our partnerships across the city. By launching WalkSafe alongside this event, we are giving residents and visitors practical tools to feel more confident as they move through our public spaces. Together, we are taking visible, meaningful action to prevent harm and support those affected by stalking and other forms of violence.”

Emma Kay, Founder and CEO of WalkSafe, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be launching WalkSafe in Birmingham. It’s a city full of energy, culture, and community, and our technology enables people to enjoy it with confidence. Thanks to Birmingham City Council and local partners, we’ve been able to plot venues across the city that have safety initiatives in place across our Safety Map. WalkSafe also offers a suite of digital tools, from journey sharing features, to community reporting and SOS alerts in one easy-to-use app, so residents and visitors can feel empowered and informed whilst enjoying what the city has to offer.”

Event Purpose

The Justice Walk will:

• Raise awareness of stalking and mark National Stalking Awareness Month.
• Promote partnership working within Birmingham’s VAWG framework.
• Showcase WalkSafe as a Birmingham-endorsed safety tool.
• Strengthen cross-agency communication and demonstrate visible multiagency commitment to community safety
• Supports the aims and objectives with the Birmingham Community Safety Partnerships Violence Against Woman and Girls Strategy.

Event Details

Date: 24 April 2026

Time: between 12:00pm and 12:15pm to 2pm
Location: Brindleyplace (near the Ikon Gallery/Oozells Square)
Route: Starting at Broad Street, passing The ICC Birmingham and the Library of Birmingham, through Centenary Square, continuing via Paradise and finishing at Victoria Square, outside the Council House.

Participants: Local agencies, VAWG stakeholders, community safety partners, invited organisations

Call for Participation

Birmingham City Council warmly welcomes organisations to join the Justice Walk and support this collective message of safety, prevention and partnership across the city.

The latest data shows that almost every Birmingham child (99.02%) has been offered one of their preferred primary schools, with over nine in ten (92.07%) securing their first choice, which is an improvement on last year’s already high level.

In total, 12,123 Birmingham children applied for a primary school place for September 2026. The majority of families applied online, with 99.12% digital applications, continuing the trend towards a smoother and more accessible admissions process.

Key highlights for Birmingham families

• 99.02% of Birmingham children were offered one of their three preferences.
• 92.07% received their first‑preference primary school, up from 91.69% in 2025.
• 529 children were offered a school outside Birmingham, reflecting continued parental choice across local authority boundaries.

These results demonstrate a well‑managed admissions process and strong collaboration between the Council, schools and partners, helping families secure places that best meet their needs.

What this means for children  

Being offered a preferred primary school helps children settle quickly, build friendships and begin their education in a familiar, supportive environment. High first‑choice offer rates also reduce uncertainty for families and enable schools to plan effectively for the new academic year.

The figures underline Birmingham’s commitment to supporting parental preference wherever possible and putting children’s wellbeing and early educational success at the heart of decision‑making.

Demand for Birmingham schools remains strong  

Birmingham primary schools continue to attract interest from families outside the city:

• 431 children living in other local authorities applied for a Birmingham school.
• 55.22% of these children were offered one of their Birmingham preferences, an increase of nearly 3% compared to last year.
• First‑preference offers for out‑of‑area applicants rose to 50.35%.

James Thomas, Interim Executive Director of Children & Families at Birmingham City Council, said: “This is really positive news for Birmingham families. Over 92% of children getting their first‑preference primary school shows a system that is working well and putting children first. Starting school is a huge milestone, and knowing your child has a place at the school you hoped for makes that transition so much more reassuring.

“These strong results reflect a well‑run admissions process and the growing confidence families have in Birmingham’s schools. It’s a clear example of how good planning, strong partnerships and effective communication can deliver real benefits for children and parents.”

Organisers of the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026 have today (Thursday 16 April) confirmed that tickets will be released in the popular home straight at Alexander Stadium, as work continues to maximise every available seat for fans at the UK’s first-ever staging of the Championships.

Demand for tickets continues to exceed expectations and, to ensure supporters can be part of this landmark moment for the West Midlands and for athletics, the release of newly unlocked home straight seating now provides additional availability for previously sold-out Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening sessions, as well as across all sessions from 10–16 August.

Packed with medal events, the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening sessions will give fans the chance to see some of Europe’s biggest stars in action, including Mondo Duplantis, Nadia Battocletti, Josh Kerr, Femke Bol, Mattia Furlani, Isaac Nader, Keely Hodgkinson and Georgia Hunter Bell, among many others.

Timings have also now been added to the Birmingham 2026 Championships timetable, helping fans plan which events they’d like to see, and when.

Cherry Alexander, Birmingham26 Championship Director, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to announce more home straight seats for fans to be part of history in the making in Birmingham this summer.

“The home straight offers truly unmissable moments, and with just under four months to go until the UK hosts the European Athletics Championships for the first time, fans now have the chance to secure some of the very best views in the stadium.

“Demand for tickets has been huge, and next week’s ticket sales will move very quickly, so I’d encourage fans to sign up for a ticket alert to avoid missing out.”

To help build momentum, former European medallists Darren Campbell and Ashleigh Nelson joined the Birmingham 2026 team at Alexander Stadium to reflect on their careers and share their excitement about Birmingham hosting the European Athletics Championships.

 Darren Campbell, 3x European champion, Olympic gold and Olympic and World Championship silver medallist, said: “I’ve spent much of my career staring down the home straight and it’s the place where dreams can be made or crushed in the blink of an eye. You can’t get closer to the action and it’s fantastic that these seats have been released, giving more fans the opportunity to grab some of the best seats in the house.

“Competing in front of a home crowd is something I know the Novuna GB & NI athletes will thrive on. With the crowd driving them on, it promises to be a truly exciting event, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Europe’s best athletes compete at Alexander Stadium.”
Ashleigh Nelson, European champion, double World Championship medallist and Commonwealth Games gold medallist said:

“It’s fantastic that the European Athletics Championships are coming to Birmingham.

“Athletes and fans alike will be incredibly excited to experience the championships at Alexander Stadium and having medalled at a European Championships I know what an honour it is to compete at such an amazing event. The team are going to love competing in front of their home crowd and it’s so exciting that there are more home straight tickets coming on sale.”

The campaign aims not to restrict children from employment or performance opportunities, but to ensure that when they do engage in such activities, they are properly safeguarded and supported.

Local Authorities, including Birmingham City Council, hold a statutory duty to protect children and young people in employment and entertainment. To fulfil this responsibility, the Council has a dedicated Child Employment and Licensing Team, including specialist coordinators and a Business Support Officer, who oversee and enforce compliance with national legislation, statutory regulations and local byelaws.

This regulatory framework sets out the requirements employers must meet, the powers held by the Local Authority, and the penalties that apply when safeguards are not followed. It also enables the Council to carry out workplace and performance inspections to ensure that every child’s wellbeing, safety, and education remain the highest priority.

Razia Butt, Director of Thriving Children and Families at Birmingham City Council, said: “Children’s safety, wellbeing and education are at the heart of everything we do. National Child Employment Week is an important reminder that while children can gain valuable experience and opportunities through work or performance, it must always be done safely and within the law.

“Our Child Employment and Licensing Team work tirelessly to ensure that every child is protected, every employer understands their responsibilities, and all performances and work placements meet the highest safeguarding standards. We are committed to supporting families, employers and organisations to get this right.”

Key Information 

Child Employment Permits

• Age: Children and young people aged 13 and above may work part-time.
• Permitted Hours: Children can work after school, at weekends, or during school holidays, in line with legal restrictions.
• Restrictions: Limits apply to the number of hours and the types of work children can undertake.
• Work Permit Application: It is the employer’s legal responsibility to apply for a work permit. Parents must check and sign the application and will receive a copy once issued.
• Legal Requirement: Employing a child without a valid work permit is against the law.

Child Performance Licences

• Age: All children – from babies to those still of compulsory school age must be licensed when participating in professional or amateur performances or certain paid sports activities.
• Permitted Hours: The number of hours and required breaks vary depending on the child’s age. Detailed guidance is available on the Council website.
• Performance Licence Application: The person responsible for the production or activity must apply for the licence.
• Legal Requirement: A licence is mandatory. Failure to obtain one is an offence.

Reporting Concerns 

Anyone who has concerns about a child working or performing, whether relating to health, safety, education, or wellbeing should report this to the Council. Concerns about a chaperone licensed by Birmingham City Council can also be raised here.

For advice, guidance or to discuss child employment, performance licensing or chaperone requirements, contact the Child Employment Team.

Email: childemployment@birmingham.gov.uk

Phone: 0121 303 8900
Website: www.birmingham.gov.uk/children_in_entertainment_and_employment

Across five separate raids between 25 and 31 March, officers removed dangerous tobacco products, illegal vapes, nitrous oxide, counterfeit goods, and unsafe toys from circulation, taking harmful products off the shelves and helping protect local communities.

A premises was inspected on 25 March as part of continued intelligence led activity. Officers uncovered a significant quantity of illicit and unsafe products, including:

• 5,926 illicit and counterfeit cigarettes
• 278 packs of smokeless snuff tobacco
• 10 illicit shisha tubes
• 43 suspected unsafe toys/dolls (the majority being counterfeit “Labubu” dolls)
• 450g of counterfeit hand-rolling tobacco
• 2 counterfeit nicotine pouches
• 2 out-of-date sandwiches, with a use by date of 27 February 2026

These items, many of which pose serious health and safety risks, were seized and removed from sale.

On the evening of 26 March, Trading Standards and West Midlands Police carried out a further joint operation in Small Heath following reports of illicit tobacco, illegal vapes and nitrous oxide being supplied from a premises previously visited in October 2025.

During the inspection, officers seized:

• 2,400 illicit cigarettes
• 27 packets of Black Naswar (oral snuff)
• Around 60 large bottles of nitrous oxide, discovered in a vehicle parked next to the premises

West Midlands Police seized both the vehicle and the nitrous oxide canisters. The repeat offending of this business highlights the ongoing challenges posed by unscrupulous traders and the importance of continued enforcement.

A further three raids took place across Erdington and Birmingham on 31 March, resulting in a combined seizure of 1,005 packets of hand-rolling tobacco and 5,402 cigarettes.

Further items were also seized across the locations, including 83 single‑use vapes, which are banned. The total value of items seized was more than £123,970.

Investigations into all premises involved are ongoing.

Protecting Communities and Taking Action

Operation Cloud reflects Birmingham City Council’s commitment to disrupting the illegal trade of counterfeit and unsafe goods. These products are often linked to organised crime, undermine legitimate businesses, and pose real health risks to residents, including children.

 

Sajeela Naseer, Director of Regulation and Enforcement at Birmingham City Council, said: “The sheer volume of illicit and unsafe items seized over these few days shows exactly why sustained, targeted action is essential. These goods are not just illegal, they are dangerous.

“We will continue to maximise joint interventions, identify offenders, seize harmful products and protect our communities from those who put profit before public safety.”

 

 Operation Fearless Det Insp Tom Lyons said: “Working with partners at the City Council, including Trading Standards colleagues, is vital to the success of Operation Fearless.

“Since our launch in Erdington last year, we have carried out several joint operations with highly successful outcomes, much like this one.

“Fearless exists to drive down crimes that matter to local people – and we know that includes the trade of illicit and illegal goods.

“We will continue to work in partnership as our officers strive to help make Erdington as safe as possible for those living and working there.”

 

Residents were encouraged to report any suspicious activity or sales of illegal goods by contacting Birmingham Trading Standards on 0121 303 9360 or West Midlands Police on 101.

Shahzad Ahmed, aged 41, received a custodial sentence of six and half years for offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and running a business that produced and sold counterfeit branded clothing from the couple’s home in Bricksmith Close in Acocks Green.

He ran the company with his wife, Afshan Shahzad under the name Smass Ltd where they worked together printing fake logos onto plain t‑shirts, sending the items to customers via online marketplaces.

They both pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. Afshan Shahzad was given a two-year suspended jail sentence and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation.

They were sentenced on 7 April at Birmingham crown court.

The illegal operation ran for over five years and continued despite multiple formal warnings from Birmingham Trading Standards. Even after officers executed a search warrant to seize the counterfeit goods, the couple were interviewed under caution, and they continued to trade illegally.

The estimated financial harm to legitimate brands, including Marvel, Warner Brothers, Paw Patrol, and Gucci, totalled approximately £2 million.

Sajeela Naseer, Director of Regulation and Enforcement at Birmingham City Council, said: “This case represented a serious and deliberate attempt to profit from criminal activity at the expense of consumers, legitimate businesses, and well‑known brands.

“Despite repeated warnings and clear opportunities to cease their activities, Mr Ahmed and Ms Shahzad continued to operate illegally for personal gain. The sentencing reflects the gravity of their actions, and we hope it sends a strong message that counterfeiting will not be tolerated in Birmingham.”

Birmingham Trading Standards remains committed to working with brand owners, enforcement partners, and online platforms to identify and disrupt similar illegal trading operations.

Following a detailed, intelligence‑led operation drawing on information from residents, partner organisations and community groups, officers identified a graffiti crew responsible for significant tagging activity in the city. An individual has now been issued with a Community Protection Warning (CPW) at their home address.

The CPW contains several conditions, including prohibiting the individual from engaging in any graffiti-related activity and preventing them from carrying aerosol cans or other items typically used for tagging.

Unlawful Graffiti Tagging: an Environmental Crime Affecting the Whole Community

Graffiti of this nature is classed as an environmental crime and a form of anti‑social behaviour. It has a wide-ranging impact on communities, contributing to:

• A decline in the appearance of neighbourhoods

• Increased fear of crime

• Reduced property values

• Additional and unnecessary costs to the Council and local businesses, who must divert funds away from essential services to remove the damage.

Local community groups have also played a crucial role, volunteering their time and resources to clean unlawful graffiti tags from shops, parks, walkways and residential areas, helping restore pride and a sense of ownership in their neighbourhoods.

Ongoing Work to Identify Other Offenders

The investigation does not stop here. The Community Safety Team continues to work with West Midlands Police to identify other members of the wider graffiti crews believed to be involved in illegal tagging across the city. Officers will continue to use all available tools, including further CPWs and Community Protection Notices (CPNs), to prevent ongoing criminal damage.

Waqar Ahmed, Assistant Director for Community Safety and Resilience at Birmingham City Council, said: “This is a clear and important step in protecting our neighbourhoods from environmental crime and anti‑social behaviour. Our teams and police partners have worked tirelessly, using high‑quality intelligence and community information, to take meaningful action. Graffiti vandalism causes real harm to residents, businesses and the wider environment. We hope this demonstrates that we will not hesitate to act robustly to deter others and safeguard our communities.”

Residents and businesses are encouraged to report graffiti or suspicious behaviour promptly so partners can take swift and effective action.