Crackdown on crime in Birmingham continues

Drugs, weapons and cash seized as police keep up pressure on gangs.

Drugs, weapons and £9,000 cash stuffed in a glove box was seized as police swooped on parts of Birmingham in an ongoing blitz on gangs and gun crime in the city.

More than 75 vehicles were checked by officers working on the mobile armed vehicle operation in the Erdington area overnight on 7th-8th February..

MAVs involve intensive patrols of areas, with uniformed and armed officers on the lookout for people and cars linked to crime. One man aged 30 was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A and Class B drugs as well as a baseball bat after armed officers stopped the vehicle he was driving in. He was charged with possession of cocaine and cannabis and released on bail.

Another man and his girlfriend were held for possession with intent to supply after cannabis and £9,000 cash was found in the glove box. A third man was arrested after officers saw him attacking a teenager in the street. He was found to have a screwdriver on him, while a fourth was arrested from a car after being found with a blade.

Supt Mat Shaer, who is overseeing the ongoing work to prevent gun and gang crime in Birmingham, said: “Last night’s action was a great success in disrupting the activities of people we suspect are involved in gun and gang crime.

“As well as gathering vital intelligence, these operations send a powerful message to people involved in crime that we will not stand for it and will work around the clock to take weapons and drugs off the streets. People in Erdington should also be assured by our presence that these MAVs are just one of the tools we have to prevent crime and keep people safe.”

Last year, West Midlands Police recovered 144 illegal firearms. Officers are also carrying out targeted patrols in areas which have been affected by gun crime, as well as working with the community to gather intelligence on those involved.

Anyone with information on gun crime in their community can speak to officers on 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.