Camera crews have been spotted at the former police station on Lichfield Road in Sutton Coldfield, north Birmingham, as production ramps up for the hit BBC series Silent Witness.
Fictional Police Station Setup
Filming took place on Thursday, March 26, with temporary signs designating the site as ‘Birmingham Southside Police Station’ for the fictional Midlands Police Force. This north-city location sparked curiosity among passers-by, given the ‘Southside’ name typically associated with southern Birmingham areas.
Crews moved across the site to the station’s entrance, where additional signage promoted recruitment: ‘Midlands Police Force. Make a difference in your community. Become a police officer. Apply today.’ Nearby, black coverings concealed an area equipped with ladders and metal poles, likely for a dramatic scene.
Leasing for Filming
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster routinely leases disused force buildings for filming and other uses. Revenue from these arrangements supports frontline policing priorities. The former Sutton station, currently at the rear facing Anchorage Road, awaits sale for conversion into a doctors’ practice with an integrated pharmacy, pending planning approval.
Production Confirmations
A BBC Drama spokesperson stated: ‘For security reasons, we don’t comment on specific filming locations during a series’ production.’ The spokesperson noted that Silent Witness is now filmed and set in Birmingham, while Line of Duty has shifted to Belfast.
Local councillor David Pears observed: ‘I drove past yesterday. It’s going to be Silent Witness. They have crews by Blackroot Bistro and by the mill. The rumour is they have rented this [the police station] to do filming work.’
Activity continued into Friday, with the ‘Southside’ signs removed but the black set area intact. A production team member confirmed filming was underway for the show at the site.
Previous Filming Nearby
This marks the second recent instance of a fictional Birmingham police station appearing locally. Last year, ‘West Birmingham Police Station’ signs emerged in the Jewellery Quarter at Newhall Street and Charlotte Street corners, matching the font and style used here, pointing to another Silent Witness production.
