More than 40 arrests in three-month operation as police crack down on organised crime in Walsall
A three-month operation in Walsall has seen more than 40 people arrested and 70 stop-and-searches carried out to tackle organised crime and youth violence.
The 12-week 'Operation Prosper' was launched in April 2025 to tackle anti-social behaviour, youth violence and organised crime in the Walsall borough.
Since then, West Midlands Police has reported that 43 people were arrested, on suspicion of offences including thefts from shops and stalls, possession of class A drugs, and possession of a knife or bladed article.
Officers carried out stop-and-searches, stopping 72 people overall.
Weapons and drugs were recovered, including knives, knuckle dusters and a broken mirror with a pointed edge, and an amount of alass A drugs and even stolen cars.
The force carried out joint work with West Midlands Police's Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation (SOCEX) team, which led to the disruption of a brothel in the town.
Sergeant Alex Backrath said: "Operation Prosper was a great success with more than 40 arrests made and over 70 stop-and-searches. A variety of weapons were seized, as well as class A drugs.
“I would like to thank the public for playing their part, as the intelligence they provided led to some good arrests and disruption of criminal activity in Walsall.
“Operation Prosper represented a proactive approach to tackling the issues that matter most to the people of Walsall, and we will continue to work tirelessly to tackle criminality and organised crime in the town."
The operation was funded by West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster. His office provided £25,000 to help set up a team made up of one sergeant and five officers.
Mr Foster said: "Operation Prosper is a powerful example of the difference that proactive, visible and locally based policing can make.
"I am committed to continuing to rebuild community policing – to ensure we have an accessible, reassuring and visible police presence out on the streets, keeping people, families, businesses and local communities safe and secure.
“The success of this operation shows what can be achieved when we invest in neighbourhood policing and work closely with our communities, to prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour head-on."
