POLICE seized more than 100 lethal firearms last year as part of a crackdown to keep the streets safer.
West Midlands Police said in 2023 it recovered more than 130 firearms from the West Midlands, up from 121 the previous year, while the number of firearms discharges also fell.
The forces also noted its major crime team officers made a number of key arrests in recent weeks.
During an intelligence-led operation on October 2 police stopped a car and recovered a shotgun, drugs, handcuffs and gloves.
Officers then searched the driver’s house, we found a large quantity of drugs.
The driver was charged and will face trial later this year.
On 13 October, a Ford Fiesta was stopped and officers found a revolver loaded with two bullets. Two men have since admitted possession of the weapon and are awaiting jail.
Detective Chief Inspector Ryan Chambers said: “We’re committed to taking on those who cause the most harm to communities.
“Organised crime groups involved in drugs, guns, and criminal cash should be under no illusion that we are coming for them and will use all our powers and investigative techniques to ensure they spend many years behind bars.
“But to do this, we rely on information from the public. I’d urge anyone who has information about those involved in serious and organised crime to get in touch so that we can take action to protect the public.”
Anyone with information should contact police via Live Chat on its website, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
