SOLIHULL and Birmingham are on alert following a police warning and a spate of serious crimes – including murders and shootings.
West Midlands Police has insisted violent crime will not be tolerated and the force will leave ‘no stone unturned’ in tackling the terror of guns and knives – as it extends the firearm surrender for another week.
It has also been announced weapon surrender bins will be rolled out in Solihull as part of the Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson’s plan to combat knife crime.
Parts of Birmingham and Solihull have been hit by a series of serious crimes during the last month including three murders and a further dozen shootings and stabbings.
Alongside covert tactics the force is using powers which allows officers to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying a weapon.
The force also works with communities by acting on intelligence to carry out warrants to seize weapons.
Assistant chief constable Alex Murray said: “We are determined to tackle violent crime and will leave no stone unturned in our quest to catch those responsible
“We feel the devastation when a life is taken so tragically; and I can only begin to imagine the heartache of family members suffering the loss of a loved one in such a way.
“There is no place in society for such despicable acts and we are committed to doing all we can to take knives and guns off the streets to keep our communities safe.
“We are involved in a number of initiatives, involving local authorities and support groups, to steer young people away from crime and gang affiliation by getting them into education, training or work.
“But we also need the help of our communities in tackling these issues and need them to tell us any information they have.
“It could be the difference between a life being lost or someone being charged.”
The force launched a gun surrender on 14 May which has seen 72 firearms handed in so far – and has now been extended by a week until 3 June.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, on the subject of knife bins said: “This is just one of my initiatives. I’m ensuring that every single day in schools young people are educated about the dangers of knife crime and I am investing in schemes to divert those same people away from violence.
“The bins are providing people with a legal and safe way to dispose of knives. Every knife posted into a surrender bin is potentially a life saved.”
