Community shocked after party murders

A large area around the scene of the New Year party shootings was cordoned off today as police continued their investigation into the murders.

Two officers stood guard outside the hairdresser’s salon, called Uniseven, which, like every other shop along the row, was closed with its steel shutters down.

Officers were also guarding the rear of the shops, which have flats above them.

A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed that a number of gun cartridges had been found at the back of the premises, but these had been left in place so that forensic experts could examine them.

Police were also examining drains near the salon, but declined to say what they were looking for.

Residents who live opposite the row of shops, which is separated by the A34 dual carriageway flyover, said the murders had left them shocked, but most were reluctant to talk about it.

One woman in her 40s, who declined to be named, said: “It does leave you feeling very worried about walking the streets and that kind of thing.

“When I heard about the shootings, I could not believe it had happened around here, but then young people these days are from a different generation.”

Mohammed Saleem, chairman of Birchfield Traders, said: “We are devastated, this is a horrible way to start the new year.”

Mr Saleem added that traders had been campaigning in recent months to have CCTV cameras installed along the parade of shops to improve security