Major Police Operation Nets 19 Arrests in County Lines Crackdown
West Midlands Police have arrested 19 people in a targeted crackdown on County Lines drug gangs that exploit children and vulnerable adults. The operation, part of a national intensification week, saw officers in Walsall stop and search 38 individuals, leading to multiple arrests for serious offences.
Weapons and Drugs Seized in Raids
During the operation, police executed three warrants that resulted in the recovery of approximately £15,000 in cash, alongside ammunition, Class A drugs, and cannabis plants. The arrests included charges for possession with intent to supply, cultivation of cannabis, and possession of firearms and bladed weapons.
In a separate community initiative, FazAmnesty, a group operating a mobile weapon surrender van, visited Walsall town centre at the start of the intensification week. This effort, arranged by the Problem Solving and Priorities Team and supported by St Matthew’s neighbourhood officers, led to the recovery of numerous dangerous weapons.
Dangerous Weapons Taken Off Streets
The weapons surrendered and seized included 10 knives, a samurai sword, an axe, a machete, a dagger, and a crossbow. Police also conducted visits to suspected cuckooed properties—homes taken over by criminals to use as bases for drug dealing—to identify and support those at risk of exploitation.
Cuckooing involves gangs taking over the homes of vulnerable individuals to establish illegal drug operations. Signs to watch for include a high number of people entering and leaving a property at unusual times, increased antisocial behaviour, or neglect of the property. Authorities urge residents to report such activities to help combat this issue.
Proactive Patrols and Community Engagement
Neighbourhood officers carried out hotspot patrols in areas such as Orchid Close, Cemetery Road, Cannon Street, Rosehill Gardens, Poet’s Estate, and the Pool Hayes area, focusing on drug dealing and suspicious vehicles. To prevent future exploitation, police visited 21 schools and youth groups to deliver workshops on the dangers of gang culture, County Lines, and knife crime.
School officers conducted 121 one-on-one interventions with pupils and briefed parents on spotting signs of exploitation and online grooming. Partners also engaged with students at local colleges, schools, and children’s homes, discussing crime reporting, County Lines, and knife crime.
Focus on Student Safety and Vulnerability
Additional patrols were conducted in Aldridge central, the village shopping centre, and at bus stops to engage with groups of students travelling home. Officers spoke to pupils from local schools about street safety and antisocial behaviour, recording concerns and identifying those potentially vulnerable to exploitation.
Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, who manages local policing in Walsall, emphasized the importance of these efforts. "We work tirelessly to safeguard those at most harm in our communities and bring offenders to justice," he said. "My teams have stopped large amounts of drugs from being circulated and taken dangerous weapons off the streets."
Collaborative Efforts and Public Awareness
Dolby highlighted that national intensification weeks help raise public awareness about the dangers of County Lines. "Putting a stop to organised gang activity, drug dealing, and the exploitation of vulnerable people is a priority for us," he added. "Working closely with our partners ensures proactive police action and tangible next steps for those released from custody to steer them away from crime."
He thanked the Council, partners, Safer Travel, the schools’ network, the faith community, and various hubs across the borough for their support in facilitating meetings and initiatives. The police continue to urge the public to report suspicious behaviour, drug dealing, or concerns about young people involved in organised crime to help protect Walsall from County Lines.
