A rise in violence was "almost inevitable" due to the pandemic, when people were suffering "pent-up feelings" and some were unsure of their futures, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Jamieson said.Uh, Commissioner... you think we're maybe "lowering the bar" here?
UPDATE2: Suspect in custody
A 27-year-old man from the Selly Oak area of the cityhas been arrested on suspicion of murder after one person died and seven others were injured in stabbings across Birmingham city centre.UPDATE3: Serial stabber identified
Questions have been raised about how the suspect was able to move around the city for 90 minutes.
"Zephaniah McLeod, 27, of Nately Grove, Selly Oak, Birmingham, is accused of killing Jacob Billington • and of the attempted murder of the seven other victims."