A significant police operation targeting knife crime across the West Midlands has resulted in 80 arrests and the discovery of 23 bladed weapons during a single week of intensified action.
National Week of Action Sees Surge in Patrols and Searches
The crackdown took place throughout November as part of the national Sceptre week, a coordinated initiative aimed at reducing knife-related violence. Officers from West Midlands Police stepped up their presence in known hotspots, carrying out 544 stop searches and more than 50 dedicated weapon sweeps of public areas.
Inspector Colin Gallier, from the force's Project Guardian team, stated that tackling knife crime and serious youth violence remains a top priority. "Initiatives like Sceptre are vital in raising awareness, promoting education, and strengthening partnerships," he said. "We've taken firm action against those who exploit vulnerable young people."
Multi-Faceted Approach: From Schools to Streets
The police effort combined enforcement with community engagement. Alongside patrols involving uniformed and plain clothes officers, dog units, and traffic officers, the force engaged in extensive preventative work. Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and officers held 535 engagement events, including school workshops and community stalls, to offer crime prevention advice.
Using intelligence, often from public reports, police searched 31 premises suspected of being involved in selling weapons or exploiting vulnerable individuals. Officers also made 12 visits to retailers to enforce laws preventing the sale of knives to under-18s.
Localised Action Across the Region
The operation saw targeted activities in every policing area, supported by the Project Guardian taskforce, drones, and dog units. A breakdown provided by the force includes:
- Birmingham: The Shard End team visited Tile Cross Academy and Timberley Academy with a new anti-knife crime car, while PCSOs in Lozells conducted sweeps in parks and attended a school coffee morning.
- Sandwell: Officers carried out weapon sweeps in Victoria Park and Stony Lane Park, with Tipton officers delivering anti-knife crime talks in local schools.
- Dudley: Police worked with junior PCSOs from Foxyards Primary to create posters and sweep Coronation Gardens and Priory Park.
- Walsall: Students from Walsall College joined PCSOs on patrols in the town centre as part of a Street Watch group, handing out crime prevention leaflets.
- Solihull: A knife pole operation was conducted in Chelmsley Wood Town Centre, with sweeps around Elmdon and Jubilee Park.
- Wolverhampton: Officers partnered with CitizenAID at The Way youth zone to teach young people emergency first aid for injuries, alongside sweeps near St George's car park.
Inspector Gallier emphasised the importance of community collaboration: "Policing alone cannot solve this issue. Our commitment continues: removing weapons from our streets and disrupting violence." He urged the public to report any information about knife crime, illegal sales, or concerns about young people being forced to carry weapons.
