Handsworth Park police incident as officers seal off scene

Police sealed off part of a Birmingham park this afternoon, Sunday, May 19. A cordon was placed around a grassed area and pathway outside a leisure centre, close to the Grove Lane side of Handsworth Park.

The park remained open and was filled with families enjoying the warm weather but nobody was allowed to cross the cordon.

The incident was said to have happened earlier in the afternoon. Police cars were stationed at entrances off Holly Lane and Hamstead Road but the public were being allowed in as usual.

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The details of the incident were not known but it was understood the incident happened on the pathway next to the leisure and wellbeing centre. It was the latest 999 alert at the park. On April 23, a fire broke out inside a lodge in the park.

The flames spread to the roof space before they were brought under control by crews from Highgate and Handsworth. Phil Morrison, from Handsworth Fire Station, said: "We believe it was arson. The property will be passed back to the council."

More than 600 people have signed a petition to save the property and bring it back into community use. Graffiti daubed on wooden boards reads 'Don't let BCC sell this house.'