In a major week-long crackdown, West Midlands Police arrested more than 450 individuals suspected of domestic abuse offences. The force has highlighted its unwavering commitment to safeguarding victims and apprehending perpetrators, particularly during a time of year when reports of such crimes traditionally increase.
Targeted Operation Leads to Significant Arrests
The significant total of arrests was the result of a planned, force-wide operation. Specialist officers from the public protection and operational support units worked alongside local policing teams to conduct targeted arrest attempts across the region.
This focused activity led to almost 100 suspects being detained specifically on suspicion of domestic abuse in addition to the force's regular response to live incidents. In total, just over 450 people were arrested throughout the entire week.
Detective Inspector Charlie Sparks, from the public protection unit, stated: "We never underestimate the impact of domestic abuse and we’re committed to supporting victims and catching perpetrators. Over the last week we carried out some focussed activity which led to a significant number of arrests and charges."
Charges and a Commitment to All Victims
The operation resulted in numerous charges for serious offences, including:
- Assault and wounding
- Coercive control and stalking
- False imprisonment and kidnap
- Threats to kill
DI Sparks emphasised that while keeping women and girls safe is a real priority, the force is fully committed to identifying offenders who commit abuse against men as well. The operation aimed to build upon the daily work undertaken by specialist teams to identify offenders and safeguard those at risk.
Enhanced Support and How to Get Help
The force has outlined major improvements in its response to domestic abuse. These include enhancements to how emergency calls are handled and the placement of independent domestic abuse specialists from local charities within its 999 control rooms.
Police urge anyone experiencing abuse to remember they are not alone and it is never their fault. In an emergency, always call 999. If you are unable to speak, you can dial 999 and then press 55 to make a silent call for help.
For non-emergencies, contact police online or by calling 101. Numerous specialist support services are also available alongside police assistance.
