An axe has been seized and a man wanted on suspicion of burglaries has been arrested after being seen ‘acting suspiciously’ on one of Birmingham's busiest streets. The arrest occurred on Wednesday, July 22, as part of West Midlands Police's Operation Fearless, which is currently targeting the Soho Road and Handsworth triangle area.
Arrest on Soho Road
Officers patrolling Soho Road in Handsworth spotted a man who raised their concerns. Upon checking, they discovered he was wanted in connection with three burglaries, including one at a business on Soho Road. He was detained immediately.
During a search, an axe was found and seized. The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in addition to the burglary offences. He remains in police custody and is being questioned by officers regarding both the weapons offence and the burglaries.
Operation Fearless Expansion
Operation Fearless was launched in Erdington in January 2025 and has since expanded to cover the Southside area of the city centre around Hurst Street. Since May, it has been targeting the Soho Road and Handsworth triangle area, bringing an influx of police officers to areas with higher crime statistics.
Detective Inspector Tom Lyons, from West Midlands Police's Operation Fearless, said: “We're constantly following intelligence about local crime – and making arrests and seizing weapons remains a priority. This is because residents and businesses here are telling us that criminality is a concern. But, this enforcement action only forms part of our work. And we're working closely with local leaders, businesses, and partner agencies, to tackle problems around the area. We're grateful for the continued support, and we will keep acting on the intelligence provided to us.”
Community Impact
The arrest and seizure are part of a broader effort to address crime in the area. Police are encouraging residents and businesses to continue providing intelligence to help reduce criminal activity. The operation aims to make the streets safer and address concerns raised by the community.
