Man charged after bus driver attacked in Madeley, Shropshire

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A 33-year-old man has been charged following an incident in Madeley in which a bus driver was assaulted and a bus was allegedly stolen and driven into several vehicles.

West Mercia Police said officers were called to Court Street at about 6.37pm on Friday 18 September. 

During the assault, the driver was forced from the bus. 

The vehicle was then driven along Park Way towards High Street, where it collided with a number of vehicles. The driver was taken to hospital for treatment but did not suffer serious injuries.

Video footage reported by news outlets appears to show the Sikh driver being struck with a ticket machine. Police have not stated a motive for the assault.

Ali Balhad has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking, assault, attempted grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving, robbery, theft from a store, threats to kill and three counts of criminal damage. West Mercia Police said Balhad is a Yemeni national who was believed to have been in the Telford area for only around a week.

Balhad appeared before Telford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 21 September. He did not enter a plea, was refused bail and is due to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court on 19 October. The charges remain allegations and the case is ongoing.

West Mercia Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant footage to contact them, quoting incident 379i of 18 September 2026. The driver has asked that his privacy be respected.

Man charged with robbery and burglary

A man was charged in connection with an armed robbery in Wellington, a commercial burglary in Wellington and a knifepoint robbery in Albrighton. Mark Gillon, 43, who is of no fixed abode, was charged with the following offences:

Two counts of robbery

Possession of a knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place

Possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence

Possession of a firearm while committing offence or being arrested

Burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Telford Magistrates Court.

Man arrested in connection with "armed" robbery

A man has been arrested in connection with a robbery at a bank in Wellington on Monday (25 August).

At around 11.39am officers were called to reports a man had entered Nationwide on New Street saying he had a firearm before taking around £2,000 in cash.

No one was injured during the incident and the man left the scene before officers arrived.

Yesterday (Wednesday 26 August) officers arrested a 43-year-old Wolverhampton man on suspicion of robbery. He remains in police custody as enquiries continue.

He was also arrested on suspicion of robbery in connection with an incident at the Albrighton Co-op on Friday (21 August), and suspicion of burglary relating to a break-in at a café in Wellington on Friday 3 July.

Detective Sergeant Craig Ryder told us: "We understand incidents of this nature can be concerning for local communities; however, I would like to reassure residents a swift investigation has led to the arrest of a man in connection with Monday’s robbery. Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident.

"Our enquiries remain ongoing while the suspect remains in custody, and I would like to thank the public for their support and patience while officers continue their work."