Car-tip youth hands himself in

A teenager has handed himself into a Black Country police station to confess his part in vandal attacks on cars.

The 17-year-old owned up to his part in tipping over vehicles on Bloxwich's Mossley Estate – an attack that hit the headlines when a firefighter died just minutes after dealing with it.

Officers say he was moved to the confession following a stern talking to from his dad. They have given him a "final warning".

Brian Dean, aged 49, suffered a fatal heart attack at Bloxwich Fire Station after returning from the call out on December 4. Sgt Mark Hancock said the confession was the result of intensive community policing after standard lines of inquiry had drawn a blank, with no evidence from witnesses or CCTV.

"We robustly patrolled these areas, encountering groups of youths, making arrests where needed and ultimately building respect between the youths, officers and parents alike," he said.

"As a result, a parent of one of the youths contacted one of my officers to discuss his son's behaviour.

"His father brought him to the police station to be spoken to and advised. Following their conversation the officer believed the message had got through and the youngster had taken his advice on board.

"It appears this was the case as later he came alone into Bloxwich police station to confess to the officers his part in both incidents of car tipping on the Mossley estate and he was subsequently arrested.

"After interview and admitting the offences in the presence of his father the teenager was given a final warning

"The injured parties in these cases have been informed and are extremely happy with the outcome. They have also made positive comments about the way we are tackling the anti-social behaviour issues in their area. Overall, this is a reward for the officers' hard work and a testament to the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing in general."

Fellow firefighters on Blue Watch at Bloxwich Station battled to save Mr Dean's life using a defibrillator carried on a fire engine, but he died shortly after his arrival at Walsall Manor Hospital.

Watch Commander Keith Tilley said his colleague was "very much loved by everyone".

Numerous measures have been introduced to crack down on unruly behaviour in Bloxwich.

These include a dispersal order covering the Mossley and Dudley Fields estates and a scheme to tackle under age drinking.