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More than 20 weapons recovered and 80 arrests made in latest crackdown on West Midlands knife crime

A major week-long crackdown on knife crime across the West Midlands led to the recovery of 23 weapons and 80 arrests, police have revealed.

By Kirsty-Louise Card
Published

The force took part in Sceptre Week throughout November—an annual national initiative targeting knife crime and serious youth violence. 

Officers carried out 544 stop and searches and completed more than 50 weapons sweeps in locations identified as crime hotspots.

A person in a hoodie holding a knife
Tougher age verification checks and online sales rules are among measures that have been used in a crackdown on knife crime (PA)

Additional patrols were deployed in areas linked to anti-social behaviour, drug activity and knife-related offending. 

Uniformed and plain-clothes officers were supported by dog units, firearms teams and traffic officers as part of the operation.

In November, we took part in Sceptre week, a national week of action aimed at reducing knife crime and serious youth violence.
In November, we took part in Sceptre week, a national week of action aimed at reducing knife crime and serious youth violence.

Police and PCSOs also delivered 535 community engagement events, including school workshops, intervention talks and crime-prevention stalls across the region.

Information from the public helped officers search 31 premises suspected of selling weapons or exploiting vulnerable people.

 A further 12 retailers were visited with local authority partners to tackle the sale of knives to under-18s, with trading standards teams continuing to monitor stores for illegal or counterfeit goods.

In Wolverhampton, PC McKinnon joined CitizenAID at The Way youth zone and spoke to young people about how to stop bleeds from injuries. Officers also completed weapon sweeps around St George's car park and the St John's Church area.
In Wolverhampton, PC McKinnon joined CitizenAID at The Way youth zone and spoke to young people about how to stop bleeds from injuries. Officers also completed weapon sweeps around St George's car park and the St John's Church area.

Inspector Colin Gallier, from our Project Guardian team, said: “Tackling knife crime and serious youth violence remains a top priority for our force. 

"Initiatives like Sceptre are vital in raising awareness, promoting education, and strengthening partnerships across the West Midlands.

"We’ve taken firm action against those who exploit vulnerable young people and inflict harm on others. Collaboration with our partners is essential—policing alone cannot solve this issue.

In Dudley, the team worked with our junior PCSOs from Foxyards Primary school to produce some anti-knife crime posters and carry out knife sweeps in Coronation Gardens and Priory Park.
In Dudley, the team worked with our junior PCSOs from Foxyards Primary school to produce some anti-knife crime posters and carry out knife sweeps in Coronation Gardens and Priory Park.

"Our commitment continues: removing weapons from our streets and disrupting violence through targeted efforts in every policing area, supported by Project Guardian taskforce teams, specialist drones, dog units, and educational work in schools.

"If you have any information about knife crime, illegal knife sales, or think a young person is being forced to carry weapons, drugs, and more, please report it to us immediately.”