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Armed police on streets after weekend of shootings

Police stepped up armed patrols in Birmingham tonight following a spate of gun crime in the city.

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Shots were fired through the front door of a property in Small Heath at around 2.20am today although no one was injured.

Police have closed a venue which was the scene of a shooting yesterday. The Arabian Nites shisha lounge in Highgate will remain shut pending a licensing review. A man was injured when a bullet ricocheted after a gun was fired around 5.45am.

And last night, in Bordesley Green, shots were fired into a car at around 9pm. Police have been unable to locate any victim from the incident.

Investigations into all three shootings are continuing, with house-to-house enquiries, CCTV trawls and forensic tests being carried out.

Earlier this evening police instigated special stop-and-search powers in targeted areas of the city – Aston, Alum Rock, Bordesley Green, Small Heath, Ladywood and Winson Green – which will last until 7am tomorrow.

A police chief said the move was 'not taken lightly' and sought 'to deter those intent on causing serious violence'.

Residents were being encouraged to speak to officers in the street to discuss their concerns.

Superintendent Mat Shaer, head of Neighbourhood Policing in Birmingham West, said: "We won’t stand for the actions of a small number of individuals who are willing to resort to violence in the way that we have seen over this weekend.

"Residents can expect to see extra armed officers patrolling the areas affected, together with neighbourhood teams and officers from other specialist teams.

"People living in these areas should absolutely not be afraid to be out on the streets.

"I’ve been speaking to members of the community and encouraging them to come out and make their voices heard and say that they will not stand for this.

"There is a huge amount of intelligence gathering going on behind the scenes to understand the motives and any possible links between incidents and assist us to identify where we can intervene.

"To those responsible, I would simply say that the clock is ticking. We will pursue you using all the tactics, resources and powers that we have to put you behind bars for the longest possible time."

People can contact the force on 101, or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with information that may help the investigations.