West Midlands Police taskforce seized hundreds of weapons and arrested more than 500 people in 2025
West Midlands Police's Guardian Taskforce officers have seized hundreds of weapons and made more than 500 arrests in the last 12 months.
The taskforce has continued its crackdown on youth violence, with the force celebrating what it called "significant results" in the last year.
The Guardian Taskforce sees specialist officers enter the communities that need them the most, tackling youth violence and anti-social behaviour.
West Midlands Police revealed that in the last 12 months the Guardian Taskforce team carried out 4,660 stop-and-searches using police powers around the force area, accounting for 17 per cent of all stop-and-searches conducted by the force.
The 'proactive interventions' led to more than 500 arrests and the seizure of more than 180 knives.
In total, the force said that more than 1,400 items were seized in these searches, ranging from cannabis and vehicles to dangerous offensive weapons such as knuckledusters, imitation firearms, extendable batons, and even axes.
Across the year, the team made 680 arrests, with the majority of those being for possession of a bladed article and possession of an offensive weapon, which can include zombie knives, ninja swords and other items adapted for harm.
The team also referred around 175 vulnerable children to partner agencies, and made more than 680 referrals aimed at steering people away from drug use and "criminal justice pathways".
Inspector Colin Gallier, from the Guardian Taskforce, said: "The taskforce has continued its commitment to reducing harm and protecting communities. The team’s work demonstrates a balanced approach - combining enforcement with prevention and support for those at risk.
"Tackling knife crime and serious youth violence remains a top priority for our force.
"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.
"Our commitment continues to 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."
