Chaos on street as cars crash and men armed with machetes target ‘cannabis factory’

Disorder erupted on a Black Country street after two cars collided and armed men tried breaking into a suspected cannabis factory. The collision took place on Throne Road, Rowley Regis, at around 7pm last night, December 27. A group of about six men, some carrying machetes, then exited the vehicles and tried breaking into a property. West Midlands Police[1] said it was alerted to an attempted burglary at the scene, but the vehicles had left once officers arrived and the premises were empty.

A search of the property uncovered a suspected cannabis grow, with the plants seized for destruction. The incident happened around two hours before shots were fired on Highfields Road[2], in Rowley Regis, around 1.5 miles away. Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp[4].

Join our dedicated community to get the latest updates West Midlands Police[5] said it was not linking the two incidents at this stage, but detectives are keeping an "open mind". A West Midlands Police[6] spokesperson said: "A suspected cannabis factory has been closed down after we were called to an attempted burglary in Throne Road, Rowley Regis yesterday evening.

"We understand two cars collided in the road at around 7pm and a group of about six men from the vehicles, some carrying machetes, then tried to break into a property. Officers attended and found the vehicles had left the scene and no one was at the premises. "On searching the property, a suspected cannabis grow was discovered and the plants have been seized for destruction.

House-to-house inquiries are being carried out and CCTV is being analysed as investigators continue with inquiries. "Anyone with information can get in contact via Live Chat on our website or call 101, quoting log 3637 of 27 Dec. To tell us what you know not who you are, call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Referencing the Highfields Road incident, which happened at around 9.15pm last night, a spokesperson added: "We are not linking the two incidents at this stage, but we are keeping an open mind as investigations continue."

References

1. ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ shots were fired on Highfields Road (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Road sealed off in Rowley Regis after gunshots fired (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
5. ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
6. ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)