'Shootings down by 50 per cent' following 'reactive and proactive' police work, force claims

Police have reported that shootings in the West Midlands are down by 50 per cent following a year of intensive action.

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West Midlands Police has said that shootings in the West Midlands have fallen by nearly half in the last year following the release of new figures.

The new data, issued by the force, reports that in 2024 there were 109 confirmed firearms discharges; however, that fell to only 77 by 2025.

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The firearm. Photo: West Midlands Police
West Midlands Police have reported that the number of shootings in the region has hallen by nearly 50 per cent

The statistics also reported an even bigger fall from 2021, with 151 firearms being reported in the year.

Meanwhile, the force said that the number of guns taken off the streets has also increased, showing that in 2025, 160 firearms were seized.

It comes as West Midlands Police's Major Crime Unit's (MCU) 'reactive and proactive' teams continue to investigate in the wake recent shootings, trawling through hours of CCTV footage and carrying out forensic work. 

Superintendent Ryan Chambers, from the MCU, said: "While it's really positive that the number of firearms discharges has gone down, we know that even one is one too many. 

"The devastation that gun crime causes is immense. Even in cases where no one has been injured, we know the fear that people living in the area experience in the aftermath of a shooting.

"We continue to work flat out in our pursuit of those involved in gun crime, alongside neighbourhood officers, intelligence analysts, and other specialist capabilities to ensure that there is no hiding place for people who think it’s acceptable to arm themselves with firearms."

The force said that they are 'ready to act' on any information about people involved in gun crime, asking anyone with information or concerns to get in touch via their 101 number or via Crimestoppers anonymously.