500 arrests in Wolverhampton during 2020 despite lockdowns
More than 500 arrests were made in Wolverhampton last year despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Wolverhampton Taskforce team made just over 500 arrests last year with offences ranging from possession of an offensive weapon, supplying Class A and B drugs and domestic abuse.
This led to them recovering dozens of potentially lethal guns, knives and hammers throughout 2020, say officers.
Their work included recovering three knives, a pair of secateurs and cocaine after acting on information and stopping a car in East Park last November.
A 17-year-old boy was charged with possession of an offensive weapon and three others - aged between 14 and 20 - were arrested on suspicion of possession of supplying Class A and having an offensive weapon.
The team have remained on active patrol across the city during the pandemic and been ready to act on information and step in when people’s safety was at risk, says the force.
Inspector Stephanie Furber, who heads the Taskforce team, said: “There has been no let-up in our drive to keep the city safe from crime.
"We’ve continued to carry out regular patrols, operations and respond to intelligence around those suspected of being involved in criminal behaviour or gangs.
"Through this we’ve been able to seize potentially lethal weapons and break up drug supply chains - taking hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of Class A and B drugs out of circulation.
"We’re committed to catching criminals and protecting those who need our help. There’s been increasing reports of domestic violence across the force and we work with our other police teams to offer support and take action.
"We made more than 100 arrests for domestic abuse throughout the last 12 months as this is something we absolutely won’t tolerate as a police service."
