Police increased patrols last weekend, which saw the second lockdown lifted, shops reopen, and thousands of Christmas shoppers heading back to our towns and cities.
In a bid to keep you safe, local neighbourhood officers teamed up with officers from WMP specialist Project Guardian Taskforce − established last year using government money to tackle youth violence − to provide a high visibility presence in Birmingham, Coventry and Walsall.
In some areas, police also utilized tactics named Project Servator, which are designed to disrupt a range of crime while reassuring our communities.
Uniformed and plain-clothed police officers are specially trained to identify the tell-tale signs that someone is intent on committing a crime and are supported by other specialist police resources such as search dogs, armed officers, drones, and a network of CCTV cameras. Police also work with security staff and shop retailers.
Our Project Guardian team used knife arch and knife wand tactics as part of our ongoing commitment to reducing knife crime and tackling those who carry weapons.
In Birmingham, our tactics identified people suspected of carrying weapons, and searches conducted found two people in possession of offensive weapons after a machete and kitchen knife was found concealed in clothing. The men, aged 18 and 19, have each been charged with possession of offensive weapons.
Following stop and searches, officers also recovered class A drugs and pick axes from three people in Coventry. Two men aged 31, and one aged 29 have been released pending further investigation.
Police also charged and remanded a man after finding a large quantity of class B drugs and cash. The 30-year-old was charged with possession of drugs.
In Walsall, a stop and search recovered a machete, the 18-year-old man has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon. Police also arrested a 20-year-old woman on suspicion of three robberies and a racial public order offense. She has been released pending further investigation.
Inspector James Tandy, from our Project Guardian team, said: “The overwhelming majority of people we met last weekend were out safely enjoying the reopening of shops and the festivities. Our high visibility patrols around the key areas were well received and we were able to talk to lots of people.
“In addition to our engagement patrols, we’ve made some arrests, which have resulted in the seizure of some very dangerous weapons and a substantial haul of drugs have been taken off our streets. We also completed over 100 stops and searches and intelligence has been gathered and entered into our systems.
“Our team is committed to helping to keep you safe.”
For more information on our life or knife, campaign visit our website Life or Knife.
This week we’ve launched a Home Office weapons surrender. Information about which weapons will become illegal is on our website here.