Walsall wedding caterer hit with £5k court bill after mouse droppings discovered

Chew marks were also discovered on paper towels at Walsall Catering, based in Green Lane, Walsall

A wedding caterer was hit with a four-figure court bill after mouse droppings were discovered during a routine inspection.

Environmental health officers visited Walsall Catering on November 28 last year, and found rodent faeces on the floor and around food storage areas.

Chew marks were also discovered on paper towels, Dudley Magistrates' Court was told.

As officers arrived to carry out the inspection, the business was preparing for an event to cater for 300 people.

However officers deemed the conditions to pose an imminent risk to public health and served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice – forcing the business, based in Green Lane, Walsall, to stop activity immediately.

During the court hearing on November 12, Ramzan Raza, 30, of Cairns Street, Walsall, represented the business, which specialises in Asian cuisine for all occasions.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of having inadequate procedures in place to control pests and failure to keep the premises in a clean state.

Raza was ordered to pay a £1,760 fine, a £704 victim surcharge, and more than £3,028 in costs.

Following the hearing, Councillor Adam Hicken, Walsall Council's portfolio holder for enforcement and safe communities, said: “Those planning weddings and other celebrations to mark major life events with family and friends should be able to book caterers knowing their safety is a priority - a food poisoning outbreak would be devastating for any party organiser.

"I would encourage anyone eating out, having a takeaway or booking caterers for celebrations to check the Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme and ensure they only use businesses that are taking their legal responsibilities seriously."

Walsall Catering reopened within a fortnight of the Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice being served.

This was due to the firm demonstrating to Environmental Health officers that the appropriate hygiene and safety measures had been implemented.

Knife crime week of action returns

 

We are committed to reducing knife crime and serious youth violence across the region.  This is a top priority for the force, and we are taking proactive steps to address this critical issue and protect those most at risk of harm.  

 

We have made significant progress in understanding the issues and data that lead to a knife being carried or used across the West Midlands. Through Project Guardian, we have teams that are dedicated to taking weapons off the streets, identifying those at risk and criminal activity that relates to knife crime. Our patrols are specific, putting officers in places where knife crime is predicted, at the times it is most likely to happen.

 

Operation Sceptre returns - a focused week of action to raise awareness of knife crime, bring violent offenders to justice, and work with our local partners to make public spaces safer for all.  

Every local policing area has dedicated school’s intervention and prevention officers who work with schools and partners to support young people and offer guidance and advice around keeping safe and diverting away from dangerous or criminal activities. They will be delivering anti-knife crime sessions and working with our Safer Travel teams to intervene on transport networks. 

Throughout the week, our officers will be completing weapon sweeps in your local parks, testing the law and sale of knives with retailers, attending community events, and conducting knife arch operations. We have both uniformed officers and plain clothes officers working with specialist teams to help reduce knife crime and violence. 

You may spot our new knife crime car out and about that will be used to educate young people across the region. The vehicle has vital messaging on it, including the #LifeOrKnife slogan, an image of the national Knife Angel statue, and the slogan “Drop the knife, save a life”.

The car will be used across the West Midlands, visiting schools, colleges and youth events to raise awareness about the dangers of knife crime and to connect young people with vital support and opportunities. 

 

If you spot the car, grab a photo and tag #SteerAwayFromKnifeCrime to help us spread the word. 

We also want to encourage people to dispose of their weapons and knives safely. This year we welcomed three new weapon surrender bins in Wolverhampton and Coventry. These new bins allow those carrying ninja swords and larger weapon to dispose of them anonymously and discreetly. 
 

You can find you local weapon surrender bin here: Weapon Surrender Bins - West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner

 

If you know someone who is carrying a knife, call us on 999. If you have information about knife crime or threats of violence, you can call us on 101 or report to us online via our website. If you want to give information anonymously, call Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

To learn more about the laws around knife crime, and the devastating impact carrying a knife can have, head to our Life or Knife website: Home - Life Or Knife - The choice is yours (west-midlands.police.uk) 

The Family Hubs in Walsall

 

What is a Family Hub?

Walsall is proud of its four Best Start In Life Family Hubs across the borough – but what are they, and how can they help you?

The Hubs support you from pregnancy to childcare right through to starting school, get advice and support for your child’s development.

They bring essential services together under one roof, making it easier for families to get the help they need.

Family Hubs are open to all families and offer support in Walsall.

Find out more on the Family Hubs website Home : https://www.walsallfamilyhubs.co.uk/find-activity