A specialist police team is tackling knife crime and serious youth violence in communities across the West Midlands, seizing 439 weapons and making over 650 arrests between April and October.
Since April this year, West Midlands Police Project Guardian officers have carried out more than 20,000 hours of patrols and operations, all aimed at taking weapons off the streets.
In October, teams in Bournville, Coventry and Tipton carried out 76 deployments, made 65 arrests and recovered 36 weapons including zombie knives. That month saw more than 3,000 hours of patrolling, in addition to 334 stop and searches and 36 referrals to rehab.
And the work continues, with two arrested and a zombie knife, lock knife and drugs seized just a few days ago (Monday 18th November) in Longbridge by Project Guardian patrols.
GTF team 1 have been tasked with patrolling #longbridge during which 2 males have been arrested for possession of a ZOMBIE knife Lock knife and drugs. #lifeorknife #roomattheinnfor2 @BirminghamNo
Log number 2794 MM pic.twitter.com/d2JbMBtmk3— Project Guardian Team WMP (@GuardianWMP) November 18, 2024
Inspector Colin Gallier and his team have been using a mixture of plain-clothes operations and high-visibility patrols to help keep our communities safe.
Along with enforcement, the Guardian officers also engage with and educate young people around the life-changing impact of knife crime.
Inspector Gallier said: “We see the devastating consequences of knife crime on our streets all too regularly and are committed to taking action against those who would carry a knife.
“We know that there is more we can do than just arrest people, which is why our teams regularly engage with young people around the consequences of knife crime to educate them and hopefully keep them away from becoming involved early.
“It really is a partnership approach and we work with parents, teachers, carers and local authority partners, all of whom have their own part to play.”
Please speak to the young people in your life and community about the dangers of knife crime.
Visit the West Midlands Police website to find out more about what you can do: LifeOrKnife | West Midlands Police
You can also visit the Life or Knife website: Home – Life Or Knife – The choice is yours (west-midlands.police.uk), which is aimed at all young people, parents and teachers.
It provides information on where to report or talk to someone about knives and where you can anonymously dispose of them.
It also includes lots of information on the devastating impact knives can have on you and others, guidance on how to talk to your child about knives, and resources that can be used in schools.
The #lifeorknife campaign, which has been informed by the region’s schoolchildren, teachers, police officers, doctors, paramedics and members of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Youth Commission, encourages children to talk about knife crime with parents, teachers and peers.
