'I lost one brother to violence, another to prison': Walsall sister says gang crime must stop

Megan Brookes knows only too well the effects of gangland activity after her brother Connor, who had not been involved, was shot dead near Bloxwich in an apparent tit-for-tat attack two years ago.

Now the mother of three has launched the new CB:20 LinkedUP initiative, named after Connor, in a bid to steer young people living in Blakenall and beyond from a life of crime. Another of her brothers, Patrick, was already serving a jail sentence for murder.

Despite the effects of the loss of Connor, who was shot on July 8, 2024, the extended family who live in the area have vowed to create some positivity and to make a difference in the neighbourhood which was devastated by the tragic turn of events.

Megan, aged 35, explained: “It’s been tough and a big change adapting to our new reality. We were just adapting to losing Patrick then this happened. It was two blows.

“I like to say that there is a before and after, and now we’re living our ‘after it’s happened’. We are a tough family and we’re sticking together.

“Patrick was involved in a crime in Walsall that sadly led to someone’s death and the negative ripple effects of that led to a gang retaliation towards Connor, and that then led sadly towards Connor’s death. Two years later it’s still raw, we are still grieving, and there is still a fear factor because it happened in daylight, but the community is resilient and is pressing on.”

“We feel like Connor’s death happened for no reason and that cycle of retaliation needs to end.

“As a mother and a sister I am determined to turn this pain into purpose. I am using my lived experience to bridge the gap between at-risk youth and the support systems they desperately need.

“My slogan is ‘unity and safer streets and links in unity’. I’m hoping to be a preventative force so that other families don’t experience what we’ve gone through and to help tackle poverty in the area which can lead to crime.

“To be that missing link, to build that unity back between services and youths - like the links on his neck chain.

“We’ve been linking up with other services and community groups. I think in the community everybody does have the same idea and want the same outcome for safer streets, better opportunities and activities for the children. With that in mind we have been raising funds at CB:20 and have so far raised over £1,000 to sponsor children into activities, and this could even pay for transport.”

She is also a member of the steering group for the Right to Succeed charity in Blakenall and is in contact with other anti-youth crime campaigners including former Walsall and Birmingham City footballer Martin O’Connor, Aldridge-based James Brindley Foundation, Walsall Police, councillors and Walsall and Bloxwich MP Valerie Vaz as part of efforts to promote the project.

Patrick Brookes, now aged 20, was among seven convicted of the murder of Bailey Atkinson, who was stabbed in a machete attack near Walsall's old High Street market on January 28, 2023. His murder was thought to have been in retaliation for an earlier stabbing involving Mr Atkinson and the brother of one his killers in Bloxwich the previous year.

Three associates of Bayley Atkinson, who was originally from Coventry - Byron Sellick, aged 22, Jake Sanbrook, aged 25, and Julian Falconer, also 22 - were all given life sentences for killing Connor Brookes, aged 20, as a result of the escalating feud.

Residents set up a memorial in Well Lane where Connor died in tribute to the metal trader, who was a well-liked and popular member of the community.