Two men have been taken into custody after a vigilant member of the public alerted police to suspicious activity in a Birmingham neighbourhood, leading to the discovery of an arsenal of weapons and drugs.
Public Vigilance Leads to Swift Police Action
Officers from West Midlands Police were dispatched to Grove Cottage Road in the Small Heath area shortly before 6pm on Wednesday, January 7. The call came after a resident reported seeing a man with a weapon inside a stationary vehicle.
Units from the force's Operations Unit quickly attended the scene. They approached the parked car and detained two male occupants, allowing for a thorough search of the vehicle.
Arsenal and Drugs Recovered from Vehicle
The subsequent search proved fruitful for investigators. Police confirmed they recovered a significant haul of items from the car. This included a knife, a knuckle duster, a quantity of drugs, and an amount of cash.
As a result of the find, a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple offences. These are possession of a knife, possession of an offensive weapon, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and possession of Class B drugs.
A second man, aged 50, was also arrested at the scene. He was held on suspicion of possession with intent to supply. Both individuals remained in police custody for questioning following the incident.
Police Praise Public and Highlight Ongoing Operation
In a statement released after the arrests, West Midlands Police thanked the member of the public whose information was crucial. They emphasised that community intelligence plays a vital role in tackling crime.
The force reiterated its appeal for information, providing contact details for its non-emergency 101 number and online Live Chat service. They also signposted the anonymous Crimestoppers charity hotline on 0800 555 111.
This operation forms part of Operation Target, the force's ongoing campaign against serious and organised crime across the West Midlands. The initiative targets a wide spectrum of criminality, from drug supply and firearms to fraud and exploitation.
Police confirmed that enquiries are continuing following the arrests in Small Heath.
