Crimestoppers offers up to £10,000 over a December raid in Smith's Wood where a couple were made to transfer cryptocurrency. What police know, and how to help.
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information about a robbery in Smith’s Wood, in which three men forced their way into a couple’s home and made them transfer cryptocurrency.
The attack happened more than nine months ago, on Saturday 13 December 2025. West Midlands Police published the appeal on 24 September (force statement).
What police say happened
The couple, who were expecting their third child, got home at about 5.20pm. As they opened their front door, three men got out of a car parked nearby and forced their way into the house behind them.
Detectives believe it “may have been a planned and targeted attack”. The statement says:
- the men demanded that the couple transfer “a substantial amount of cryptocurrency”
- a fourth person relayed instructions to them over a video call
- the husband was assaulted and suffered significant injuries
- his wife, who was pregnant at the time, was threatened with a knife
- the men left with the money and a number of high-value watches
They drove off in a car believed to be a black BMW X3.
The force’s statement places the home in “Smith’s Wood, Birmingham”. Smith’s Wood is in the borough of Solihull, next to Chelmsley Wood. Police have not named the street.
Who police want to trace
All the attackers are believed to be in their twenties. The men wore face coverings and hoods, so police say accurate descriptions have been difficult. One was described as a black man with a small diagonal scar beneath his left eyebrow.
No arrests have been announced.
The reward
Crimestoppers is an independent charity, separate from the police. Its reward of up to £10,000 is for information given only to the charity that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Robbery in Smith’s Wood
Street-level police figures give some context. We counted 67 robberies recorded in the Smith’s Wood policing neighbourhood in the 12 months from August 2025 to July 2026, the latest month published (police.uk data).
December 2025 had the most, at 11. The figures cover all robberies, including those in the street, so they do not show how often homes are targeted. police.uk places each crime at an approximate location, never an exact address.
What it means for you
- If you saw anything around 5.20pm on 13 December 2025 in Smith’s Wood, or noticed a black BMW X3 in the area that evening, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You do not have to give your name.
- To be eligible for the reward, the information has to go to Crimestoppers only, not to the police directly.
- Doorbell or dashcam footage from that evening could matter even now. Check whether you still have it before it is overwritten.
Sources
- Crimestoppers reward offered following robbery at couple’s home in Solihull, West Midlands Police, published 09:05, 24 September 2026, for the account of the robbery, the descriptions, the car and the reward terms.
- police.uk street-level crime data, robbery category, West Midlands Police neighbourhood SH003 (Smith’s Wood), August 2025 to July 2026, queried by The Solihull Post on 27 September 2026 against the neighbourhood boundary. Open Government Licence.
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