Newborn baby threatened and man sprayed with cleaning fluid in string of violent Birmingham burglaries

A newborn baby has been threatened in a string of violent burglaries seeing victims beaten, held at knife-point and squirted with potentially corrosive substances in their own homes.

West Midlands Police are appealing for information on 28 incidents recorded across Birmingham so far, which they believe may have been carried out by several unconnected groups.

They have escaped with jewellery worth tens of thousands of pounds after appearing to select homes to target in recent weeks.

In one incident in Balsall Heath on 8 November, burglars forced their way in through the front door and took the family into a bedroom.

“The gang picked up and threatened to harm a newborn baby if they were not told where money was hidden, and knives were held to the throats of women in the house,” police said.

In another burglary, in Small Heath on 21 November, a gang armed with screwdrivers forcible removed a victim’s jewellery and squirted his hands with cleaning fluid.

It came as household and industrial cleaning products are used in a series of corrosive substance attacks across the UK.

One victim was struck with a metal bar during a burglary and others have been beaten with fists but police said no one has yet been seriously injured.

West Midlands Police believe Asian gold jewellery used for weddings and other family events may be a key target, after launching an investigation into the spate of violent burglaries.

Detective Inspector Dave Keen, who is leading the probe, said a dedicated taskforce was working to identify those responsible “literally 24 hours a day”.

“We’ve got a lot of good lines of inquiry, and in the areas where these offences have happened, there’s a commitment to carry out special patrols,” he added.

“It’s also very important that residents do as much as possible to protect their property.

“Asian traditions have always placed a strong emphasis on jewellery it plays an important role in many religious festivals as well as significant family occasions, with many items handed down through generations.

“These are not just highly valuable possessions; they are also of great sentimental worth and are a huge loss to their owners if such jewellery is taken.”

Police are issuing a warning to residents owning valuable gold jewellery and issuing advice on how to protect their homes, such as storing items in a bank or safety deposit box and making houses secure.

Mr Keen said criminal gangs were scoping areas for potential targets and urged people to report any suspicious behaviour, or call police if they are offered high value gold for sale.

Areas where burglars have struck include Balsall Heath, Erdington, Small Heath, Winson Green, Kitts Green, Hall Green, Edgbaston and Alum Rock and Four Oaks.

There have also been break-ins in Smethwick, Yardley, Saltley, Washwood Heath, Hall Green, Tyseley, Bordesley Green, Hodge Hill and Ward End and Moseley.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery in connection with a raid on a home in College Road, Moseley, and remains on bail.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.