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Next door is near enough for a kicking
DISPUTES between neighbours is the No.1 reason for assaults in the West Midlands, it was revealed today.
Rows over trivial issues such as parking to on-going issues of anti-social behaviour were enough to provide the spark for residents to fight, a police analysis of assault records has found.
Arguments in pubs and takeaways were the second and third reasons most common reasons for violence, exacerbated in many cases by alcohol.
In Sutton Coldfield, officers have suspended cautions for drink-related offences over the Easter break in a crackdown on offenders.
Supt Stuart Johnson said: "A lot of the violence we see is either the result of an argument that gets out of hand or is accelerated by alcohol.
"With more people out drinking over the bank holiday weekend, arguments leading to fights are more likely.
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