Shock and horror for residents of quiet Bilston street after three men taken to hospital following violent disorder
Residents on a quiet Bilston street have been left shaken after a violent incident which saw three men assaulted and a car smashed and left on the pavement.
The incident happened on Arbour Drive just before 6am on Friday in what has been described by police as a large disorder involving a number of people and bladed weapons.
Three men were treated by paramedics at the scene, with one treated for serious injuries before being conveyed under emergency driving conditions to hospital, while the other two men were treated for potentially serious injuries and conveyed to hospital.
Hours after the incident happened, there was still a sizeable police presence at Arbour Drive, with both ends of the road cordoned off and officers from West Midlands Police and police cars remaining at the scene.
The sheer scale of the incident was clear to see, with the front windscreen of the car smashed and all four side windows either open or smashed, while large amounts of glass and bodywork could be seen all over the road.
Forensic officers and inspectors from West Midlands Police were also visible as they took photos of the scene and the car, while members of the community were constantly seen walking by, enquiring what had happened and taking their own photos of the scene.
One resident who had seen the incident at first hand was James Eckersley, who said he had recorded a video of the incident.
He said he and his partner were still taking in what had happened and was still shocked that it could happen somewhere he knew was usually very quiet.
He said: "It was around 6am that my partner came in and screamed that there was something going on outside, because we had heard a big crash first of all, like the sound of metal on metal.
"I looked out the window and saw a group of men.
"It's shocked me and my partner is so shocked, she can't even go out the front door and I've been here nearly five years, and this is the first time anything like this has happened.
"You see and you get kids on the motorbikes over there on the green area, getting chased by coppers but nothing on this scale."
Another resident of the flats adjoining Arbour Drive said he'd only found out when he'd checked his phone first thing in the morning and said he was just left stunned at something like that happening.
He said: "I actually slept through it and only found out when I got up this morning, checked my phone and saw that there had been an incident on the road, so I looked out the front window and I saw the car as it was.
"It's really shocking for me as I've lived here 20 years and apart from a few kids causing a bit of trouble and a few flash points, I've never seen or heard anything like this before.
"Something as violent as that just doesn't happen around here and I'm just shocked that it has."
The feeling of shock for those living on Arbour Drive was matched by those living further down the road on Loxdale Sidings, with one resident saying she was left feeling shaken after learning what had happened.
She said: "I was on a night shift and was coming home when I saw the police cars and the tape up and around the street.
"I spoke to my neighbour, who told me what had happened, and I'm just really stunned and can't believe that anything like that could happen around here as it's a nice area.
"I've lived here for a few years and never seen any trouble and while I'm reassured by the police being here, it's just shocking that this has happened."
West Midlands Police later confirmed that four men had been arrested following the incident and has put out an appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We've arrested four men following a serious disorder in Bilston as we appeal for witnesses to come forward to help our investigation.
"We were called to Arbour Drive, just after 6am to reports of a large disorder involving a number of people and bladed weapons.
"Three people were taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be life threatening.
"Officers responded quickly and four people were arrested shortly after, including two who were detained with the help of a police dog.
"All four were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remain in custody as our investigation continues."
Det Insp Adam Keen, of Wolverhampton Police, said: “A number of teams came together to make quick arrests, and our investigation is moving quickly as we establish exactly what happened.
“I would like to reassure the public that we do believe this to be a targeted attack.
“We have already spoken to a number of witnesses and are gathering CCTV, and if anyone has more information, I’d urge them to get in touch.
"We can be contacted via 101 or Live Chat. Quote log 651 of 15 August."