Man arrested after evacuated flat residents return home

Police are calling for the ashes to be returned. (S)

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage following a flood in a city apartment block which led to more than 200 people being evacuated.

Residents of Caradoc Hall in Wood End returned home on Tuesday night after having to move out on Friday when a burst water pipe on the 12th floor caused significant water damage and interrupted the electricity supply.

Light and heating was restored and occupants of all 124 flats many of whom had spent several nights in hotels and B&Bs returned home.

A 47-year-old local man was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of damaging the main water tank with the intention of stealing metal pipework. He has been bailed pending further enquiries and has been banned from Caradoc Hall.

BOLD burglars ransacked a police station in Bell Green, stealing uniforms and equipment.

The station in Roseberry Avenue was broken into at some point on Saturday night. It was empty at the time.

A police spokesman told us: "Offenders have broken into the building and searched a number of lockers.

"Items of police equipment, including uniforms are known to have been stolen, but the investigation into exactly what is missing is still taking place to identify all of the stolen items."