Express & Star

WATCH: Seven arrested in Black Country dawn raids

Six men and a woman have been arrested in raids across the Black Country this morning in a Sandwell-wide crackdown on crime.

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The seven were targeted in a bid to strike at the heart of drug dealing and associated crime across the borough, bringing the total arrested as part of the campaign to 58 with 49 of those charged and brought before the courts.

Three remain on bail and one faces no further action meaning 45 are remanded in custody pending trial.

All warrants were carried out as part of Spring Safer Six, an intelligence-led campaign targeting drugs-related crime.

"Spring Safer Six has been conducted in addition to business as usual policing and all the other warrants we have been executing as day-to-day business," said Chief Inspector Jane Parry, the officers leading the initiative.

"In just six days of action we have seized £8,000 in cash, recovered 120 rocks of suspected crack cocaine and smashed three cannabis farms with drugs valued at just under £10,000.

"In addition we have seized sat navs, bikes, bank cards, and even work boots which we believe have been stolen. Other property has also been secured for checks.

"Despite our best efforts we have so far been unable to trace all of the property's owners and in June we will be displaying all of these items in an Aladdin's cave property showcase.

"At the open day we hope that people will come and identify property which they may have had stolen from them. After a few checks we'll be able to hand their valuables back."

Arrest details:

• 27-year-old woman from Sandfield Road, West Bromwich, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug.

• 34-year-old man from Beacon View Road, West Bromwich, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug.

• 33-year-old man from Ramsey Close, West Bromwich, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug.

• 31-year-old man from Southey Close, Willenhall, Walsall, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

• 29-year-old man from Sandfield Road, West Bromwich, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug.

• 36-year-old man of no fixed address, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.

• 28-year-old man of no fixed address, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug.

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."

The property showcase will take place between 10am and 1pm on Saturday, June 6, at Hope Church, Marsh Lane, Hateley Heath, West Bromwich.

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