'It’s not even a shock now': Residents speak out against violence after Bilston murder
Neighbours have spoken out against the rise in crime after a man was found 'murdered' near a Black Country football ground.
Police have launched a murder investigation after the 42-year-old man was found with serious injuries in The Lunt, Bilston, not far from Bilston Town Football Club’s ground.
The man's death could be linked to a row in the street outside hours earlier, detectives say.
Two men, aged 42 and 34, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and were being questioned by police yesterday.
Officers were called to Beckett Street just after 6.30pm on Sunday, where the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident, which happened next to Bilston Town Football Club's Queen Street Ground, saw a section of Queen Street closed at the junction with Beckett Street until Monday afternoon.
Scary but not shocking
Rajwinder Kaur, who lives in Beckett Street, spoke of her shock at the news.
The 31-year-old said: “We were not around when it happened, I think it could have been during the night. Someone told me someone has been murdered.
“It’s scary because it’s so close to the football stadium and children are always in the street playing here.”
Norman Riley, 69, of Queen Street, saw ambulances and police in the street on Sunday evening.
He added: “I don’t really have a clue what happened. I got back from Burnley to pick up a puppy at about 7pm on Sunday.
“I dropped my missus off and then went out to the chippy and could just see flashing lights and ambulances and police in the street.
“I found out about 10pm from someone over the club that said there had been a murder.
“I hope it is unusual for the area – usually it’s quiet around here.”
The cause of death is not yet known, but detectives are investigating whether the death was linked to a row in the same street on Sunday afternoon.
Officers but up a blue forensic tent across the pavement opposite the football ground.
Brian Beaton, 78, of Queen Street, said he was no longer shocked by violent crime in the area.
“The road has been cordoned off since yesterday,” he said. “I’ve been told someone has been stabbed.
“It’s not even a shock nowadays because it’s happening every day of the week.
“I haven’t lived here long – only about 12 months. The postman came this morning and said to me ‘anything can happen in the Lunt’.
“It is scary. When I was a kid if someone was murdered it was a massive thing but not anymore. It’s not shocking.”
Justice
Wolverhampton South East MP, Pat McFadden paid tribute to the victim and his family.
He said: "This is an appalling crime. I hope whoever is responsible is brought to justice as soon as possible.
"I am grateful to West Midlands Police and hope they are able to support the community in the area who will be in shock that such a terrible crime could happen on their doorstep.
"It is terrible news. My thoughts are with the victim and his family."
Detective inspector Paul Joyce, from the homicide team at West Midlands Police, added: "We are working to establish the circumstances around the sad death of this man.
"We understand there may have been a disorder in the street earlier that afternoon and whether this is connected forms one line of enquiry.
"I would urge anyone who saw this, or has any other information which can assist our investigation to contact us as soon as possible."
A post mortem examination took place yesterday to try and establish the cause of the man’s death.
Anyone with information can contact police via 101.
