Eleven arrested as police raid Black Country homes in mass crime crackdown

The raids were part of Sandwell Police's Spring Safer Six operation which is targeting criminal networks selling drugs and committing crimes to fuel their drug addiction.

The nine simultaneous 6am raids across Tipton, Rowley Regis, Oldbury, West Bromwich and Bradley, and around 100 officers from across the West Midlands took part.

"Unlike previous raids which have targeted suspected drug dealers, this morning's warrants have focused on taking the market out of stolen goods in the borough," said lead officer Chief Inspector Jane Parry.

"What we see in many places is that drug users steal and then sell their bounty to fund their drug addiction.

"This ranges from food items and toiletries shoplifted from stores, putting local businesses under pressure, to phones and bikes taken from children or even laptops stolen from homes and cars.

"What we're saying through Spring Safer Six is enough is enough. If you're involved in crime at any level across the borough then you can expect a knock on your door."

The operation has so far seen 44 people charged with drug and handling stolen goods - type offences, with this week's warrants bringing the overall arrest tally to 49.

Arrest details:

• 27-year-old woman from Grace Road, Tipton arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

• 29-year-old man from Grace Road, Tipton arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

• 32-year-old man from Wylde Crescent, Rowley Regis arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

• 21-year-old man from Wallace Road, Bradley arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

• 21-year-old man from Middlemeadow, Tipton arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.

• 48-year-old man from Briarley House, Beaconview Road, Charlemont Farm, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to handle stolen goods and burglary.

• 51-year-old man from Beaconview Road, Charlemont Farm arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

• 28-year-old man from Hartlebury Road, Oldbury arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

• 37-year-old man from Ruskin Street, West Bromwich arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug.

• 24-year-old man, of no fixed address, on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

• 27-year-old man, of no fixed address, on suspicion of conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

Safer Six is a long-running Sandwell-based operation which has helped drive down crime levels across the borough to an all-time low.

The latest round of the operation was launched in April.

Chief Insp Parry said: "In April there were 62 burglaries across the whole of Sandwell, which is the lowest ever level recorded in any month.

"In 2002 - when modern police crime recording was implemented - the burglary rate for Sandwell was 3,418 crimes per year. That figure was driven down to 1,124 burglaries in 2015 and I expect to see the 2015 burglary rates even lower as all crime should also be."