A policing update has been issued after two Birmingham city centre stabbings, which left a woman dead and a teen with serious injuries, has rocked the community.
Katie Fox, 34, was stabbed at a bus stop in Smallbrook Queensway last Friday (November 7) and later died.
Djeison Rafael, aged 21, of no fixed address has been charged with Katie’s murder, appearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (November 12). A trial date has been set for May 5 next year.
Read more: Boy stabbed in Birmingham city centre in yet another knife attack
And another stabbing took place, near the Bullring shopping centre and close to the iconic Bull bronze sculpture, on Thursday (November 13) at around 8pm.
A 17-year-old was stabbed and a spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We were called to reports of a stabbing near to the Bullring at 8.16pm last night.
“One ambulance and a MERIT (Medical Emergency Response Incident Team) trauma doctor, with a Critical Care Paramedic, attended the scene.
“On arrival we discovered one patient, a teenage male, who was treated for potentially serious injuries before being taken to hospital for further assessment.”
The Bull at the Bullring -Credit:Graham Young / BirminghamLive
And five arrests have been made, including a 14-year-old on suspicion of attempted murder, three 18-year-olds were held on suspicion of wounding and a 22-year-old man was held on suspicion of assisting an offender.
In response to the knife incidents, West Midlands Police has pledged to keep city centre visitors ‘safe’.
The city centre’s Christmas Market is already in full swing and expected to get busier. Partygoers will be visiting the city for festive get-togethers.
And shoppers will be out in force to buy presents for loved ones in the coming weeks.
The tragic scene in Smallbrook Queensway in Birmingham city centre where Katie Fox suffered stab wounds and later died
West Midlands Police has said the force knows people are ‘understandably worried’.
And it has said it is increasing patrols, from Friday (November 14) in the city centre vowing: “We want the city centre to be a safe and welcoming place for you.”
A force spokesperson said: “We know that after recent events in Birmingham city centre, people are understandably worried.
“After Katie Fox tragically lost her life in a stabbing last weekend, we’re continuing to support her loved ones, and we arrested a man who has since been charged with her murder.
“In a separate incident last night, where a teenage boy was hurt in a stabbing in the city centre, we responded quickly, arrested five people, and we’re continuing to carry out a thorough investigation.”
Read more: Katie Fox murder accused’s trial date set after city centre stabbing
The statement continued: “We understand why these incidents have caused concern for visitors to the city – and people that live and work here.
“In response, we have increased our patrols in the city centre, as whether you’re out and about enjoying Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market, shopping, or working, we want the city centre to be a safe and welcoming place for you.
“High-visibility patrols have been stepped up, and so this evening you should expect to see more officers out and about in key locations around the city centre.
“That will continue, around the clock, over the coming days.”
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The West Midlands force said its Birmingham city centre policing is being supported by resources from across the region, and by partners including Birmingham City Council and safety officers from the Central Business Improvement District.
The police spokesperson continued: “Project Servator deployments also take place regularly around the city centre to keep you safe, by providing a reassuring presence for the public and disrupting a range of criminality.
“Highly-visible specialist uniformed officers are on-hand to speak to anyone with concerns, and deployments also include plain clothes officers who are trained to spot the signs someone may be planning or preparing to commit a crime.
“You will see deployments dotted throughout the area day and night, and officers work with local businesses, market stallholders and security teams to remind them to be vigilant and be extra eyes and ears for us on the ground to look out for suspicious activity. You can read more about the operation here.
“Rest assured, our officers are on hand, and ready to respond 24 hours a day.
“When you do see them in the city centre, feel free to stop and chat, and pass on any concerns or information.”