More than 60 people have been arrested since the launch of Operation Fearless on Soho Road in Handsworth on May 13. The initiative targets drugs dealing, anti-social behaviour, knife crime, and criminality at mini-mart style shops.
Weapons and Drugs Seized
Patrol officers became suspicious of a driver parked on Ninevah Road on May 19 and conducted a search of his car. A large sword was seized from the boot of the vehicle. A 33-year-old is due in court next month charged with possession of a bladed article.
On Friday, May 22, officers approached another vehicle at the junction of Thornhill Road and Holly Road, which then sped away. It was pulled over on Soho Avenue, where cash and five mobile phones were seized.
Police Statement
Det Insp Tom Lyons of Operation Fearless said: “Stop and search is a really powerful tool, and we’ve made a number of significant arrests and recoveries of weapons and drugs as a result. We don’t use it lightly and we have to have grounds to use it. All stop and searches are recorded on body worn video, and we regularly speak to independent community groups about our use of the power so that they can scrutinise it. Fearless will continue to use all the powers and tools we have available to us to make the areas where we work safer for everybody.”
Operation Fearless officially arrived in the Soho Road and Handsworth triangle area on April 13. More than 60 arrests have already been made during raids, responses, and street stop and searches.
