Police using enhanced stop and search powers in three parts of Birmingham after fatal stabbing
“Although knife crime in the West Midlands has fallen, we still recognise that every knife crime offence is one too many”
Police are using enhanced stop and search powers in Birmingham tonight after a man was stabbed to death in Small Heath.
West Midlands Police chief superintendent Tom Joyce, Birmingham police commander, said the force is taking “direct action” against knife crime in the city and that people “may see more officers than usual in certain locations over the coming days”.
It follows the fatal stabbing yesterday afternoon (October 28) of Abdillahi Farid Ali.
A 46-year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of murder and the force said it is not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Mr Joyce said: “Whilst we are not linking this to any other incidents, we completely understand how concerning knife crime is, and the misery it brings to communities across the city and the wider region – so we are doing everything we can to tackle it.
“Although knife crime in the West Midlands has fallen, we still recognise that every knife crime offence is one too many. We understand that behind every offence like this, real people are affected, and we have seen first-hand the devastation that it causes to families and loved ones.”
He said he wanted to assure residents and visitors that the force is “working relentlessly to make Birmingham the safest place possible, for everyone”.
“This includes working hard to prevent knife crime from happening in the first place.
“With that in mind we will be using extra powers in parts of the city tonight, with the safety of the public our priority.”
As of 5pm today and until 1am tomorrow West Midlands Police is using so-called Section 60 powers which allow officers to stop and search people without needing “reasonable grounds”.
The three affected areas - in the city centre, Sparkbrook and Soho Road - are shown in the maps below.
“We know that the use of stop and search powers can sometimes cause concern to communities,” Mr Joyce said. “We don’t use them lightly and we make sure their use is fair and appropriate.”
Learn more about how West Midlands Police uses stop and search powers here.
Mr Joyce said: “While we are directly targeting knife crime, today and across the weekend we have teams of officers on duty across the city, ready to respond and investigate all forms of crime appropriately.
“This includes high-visibility patrols but also plain-clothed patrols which you may not notice, as well as work with colleagues from across the force including firearms officers, and our dog and drone units.”
If you are concerned about knife crime in your area or spot anything suspicious, report it to police.
You can report via 101, Live Chat on the West Midlands Police website, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Always call 999 in an emergency.