A specialist police unit in the West Midlands has revealed the scale of its fight against knife crime, making almost 700 arrests and confiscating more than 1,400 weapons and illicit items in a single year.
Enforcement Action: Searches and Seizures
The Guardian Taskforce, dedicated to tackling knife crime and serious youth violence, conducted 4,660 stop and searches throughout 2025. This accounted for a fifth of all such searches carried out by West Midlands Police.
From these targeted interventions, officers recovered more than 180 knives and made over 500 arrests. The total haul of seized items exceeded 1,400 and included a shocking array of dangerous weapons beyond knives.
Knuckledusters, imitation firearms, extendable batons, and axes were among the offensive weapons taken off the streets, alongside quantities of cannabis and vehicles used in crime.
A Dual Strategy: Prevention and Support
While enforcement is crucial, the taskforce emphasised its parallel work on safeguarding and diverting individuals from crime. In a vital preventive move, officers referred around 175 vulnerable children to partner agencies for support.
Furthermore, the team made more than 680 referrals aimed at steering people away from drug use and preventing them from entering the criminal justice system. The unit also played a key intelligence-gathering role to disrupt wider criminal networks.
Police Commitment to Community Safety
Inspector Colin Gallier, from the Guardian Taskforce, stated the team's ongoing commitment to reducing harm. He outlined a balanced approach combining robust policing with proactive community measures.
"The taskforce has continued its commitment to reducing harm and protecting communities," said Insp. Gallier. "The team’s work demonstrates a balanced approach—combining enforcement with prevention and support for those at risk."
He highlighted that tackling knife crime remains a top priority and confirmed the use of specialist drones, dog units, and educational programmes in schools to support their mission. The inspector urged the public to report any information about knife crime, illegal sales, or concerns about young people being exploited to carry weapons.
"Collaboration with our partners is essential," he added. "Policing alone cannot solve this issue."
