
Pelsall circus owner says break-ins could end the business
The director of a travelling circus which was subject to a double break-in says the burglary could spell the end of the business.Since arriving at Pelsall Common, near Walsall, last week, Circus Cortex has twice been targeted by thieves, who damaged the tent and stole three motorbikes worth between £15,000 and £20,000.Irina Archer said the business had already been struggling to draw its usual crowds this year."This is our livelihood," she said. "Literally, this could be make or break."
Circus Cortex, which has been touring the country for five seasons, began its visit to Pelsall on 1 May and had been due to perform until Sunday, before moving to Bakewell, Nottingham, Kingswinford and Leicester.Last week, thieves slashed the big top in three places, causing about £2,000 worth of damage, and broke into the box office, where they stole about £200.On Thursday night, three motorbikes which were part of the Globe of Death performance - which Ms Archer described as "a highlight of the show" - were taken, along with safety equipment like helmets."It's obviously going to be a shorter performance, and not as exciting for the public unfortunately - but what can we do?" asked Ms Archer. "For us to perform, we need the bikes."But I'm not in a position to fork another £20,000 out."
The bikes - and their riders - had been specially imported from Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia.Ms Archer said the circus was already "on its knees" because the cost of living crisis meant people were staying away.She explained: "We were thinking we would have to shut down in a week or two if the business doesn't improve because it's the first time in five years we're actually struggling to tick over."And then this [the thefts] are putting an extra strain on it."We've got 25 employees here who are dependent on the performance and a lot of their families depend on them sending money home, because I still have quite a few Ukrainians here on the Ukraine scheme."Ms Archer has reported the thefts to West Midlands Police.The force has been contacted for comment.
Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Couple are forced to steal back their own car after police refuse to investigate despite AirTag pinpointing its EXACT location
A couple whose Jaguar was stolen were forced to steal it back after police took too long to investigate. Mia Forbes Pirie and Mark Simpson discovered their car had gone missing from near their west London home in Brook Green on Wednesday morning. The pair had it fitted with an airtag locator meaning they were able to track the vehicle to an updated location in Chiswick at 10.30am. But police informed them after dialling 999 that they did not know when they would be able to investigate and so could not offer immediate assistance. The couple took matters into their own hands when Ms Pirie, 48, discovered the airtag had last pinged on the road outside their home at around 3.20am. The Jaguar E-Pace - a model that sold for about £46,000 new in 2024 - also had a 'ghost immobiliser' fitted which required the right buttons to be hit on the car's control unit before it could start. Mr Simpson, 62, reported being nervous as he made the four-mile journey with his wife to the car's new location. The pair discovered the vehicle on a quiet back street with its interior and carpets ripped apart by thieves who had attempted to access its wiring. Forbes Pirie, a former solicitor and now an award-winning mediator, and Mr Simpson, a commercial barrister, had installed a series of additional security mechanisms on the car after previously experiencing the theft of a vehicle. They said they thought the theft operation on their Jaguar must have been 'reasonably sophisticated' and likely involved a tow or flat-bed truck. Neighbours later reported they had heard unusual noises at night. In a post to LinkedIn, Ms Forbes Pirie admitted it was 'kind of fun' stealing back the car but questioned 'why we should have had to do that'. She added: '[Is] it right that the police seem to have no interest in investigating what is likely to have been a reasonably sophisticated operation involving a flat bed truck… if there are no consequences, what is the incentive for people not to do more of this?' But speaking to The Times afterwards Ms Forbes Pirie said she thought it was a lack of resourcing that had affected the Met's ability to respond. She said: 'The police are under-resourced and it's a shame. But if there aren't any consequences to people stealing cars or a lot of the other crimes where there aren't any consequences, then I don't really see what the deterrent is to stop people from doing it more.' Official Met Police figures show there were 33,530 offences of 'theft or unauthorised taking' of a motor vehicle in London in 2024 - a 1.6 per cent increase on the previous year. There were 326 'positive outcomes - which can include a charge or caution - representing a success rate of below one per cent.


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Woman hit in face by man who sexually assaulted her on train as cops release photos in urgent hunt for attacker
COPS have released photos of a man after a woman was sexually assaulted on a train before commuters intervened. A man sat next to a woman who was on the Elizabeth Line on May 16 and assaulted her. 3 She shouted at him to stop, and the thug hit her in the face. Other passengers bravely leapt to her defence and pushed him away. He was on the Tube from Stratford station to Forest Gate. Cops have released images of a man they want to speak to in connection to the horror assault. He has short cropped hair and a cream bodywarmer, jeans and grey trainers. Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 727 of 16 May. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Two teenage boys charged with attempted rape
Two teenage boys are due to appear in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. They were charged by detectives who are investigating a serious sexual assault on a teenage girl in Ballymena. Advertisement The alleged incident took place in the Clonavon Terrace area on Saturday evening. On Sunday night, a police spokesperson said: 'They have both been charged with attempted rape, and are due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates' Court tomorrow morning, Monday 9th June. 'As is usual procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.'