22 suspects detained in Wolverhampton crackdown on crime - including weapons, Class A drugs and shoplifting

Police made 22 arrests in Wolverhampton over the course of one day in the latest crackdown on crime.

Officers detained the suspects during an all-out day of action dubbed ‘Operation Advance’ for an array of offences - they included burglary, having an offensive weapon and assault to possession with intent to supply drugs, conspiracy to supply class A drugs and shoplifting and a number of people wanted for failing to appear in court.

Neighbourhood officers, traffic units, plain clothes officers and other specialists were involved in the action, which saw drugs and offensive weapons, including knives recovered.

Among a number of search warrants executed, officers and Trading Standards officials carried out a raid on a shop on Lichfield street yesterday (April 30). Drugs were recovered two men were arrested.

Acting on information about suspected drug dealing linked to the premises, searches were carried out with the help of sniffer dog PD Ash and handler PC Lloyd from British Transport Police, with a range of illegal drugs, including cannabis edibles and cannabis vapes were seized. A number of suspected counterfeit items were also seized.

Drugs dog ‘Stan’ also helped officers make another arrest alongside PC Lee Veltman after a 23-year-old man ran from them and allegedly discarded a knife. He was detained after a short foot chase by officers on Lichfield Street on suspicion of possession of a knife and taken into custody.

Officers also arrested a 34-year-old suspected drug dealer from an address in Graiseley on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and following questioning has been released on police bail as the investigation continues.

Over at Bentley Bridge , officers acted on information from a security staff and arrested a suspect wanted on suspicion of assault.

In the city centre, police also arrested a wanted man and a Community Protection Notice was also issued to a persistent beggar.

Speaking about the success of the day of action, Chief Superintendent Anthony Tagg, said: "Op Advance is always a superb opportunity to amplify the hard work that officers across the city are carrying out each and every day.

"All this activity just serves to highlight what is going on week in and week out. Our teams are continuously focussed on the issues that matter to you and are working incredibly hard, with a huge range of partners, to tackle the crimes that can take such a toll on our communities.

"From illegal activities in shops and drug dealing to anti-social behaviour and retail crime, our officers and specialist teams are committed to keeping the residents and businesses across Wolverhampton safe."