Knives and drugs have been seized by West Midlands Police's specialist knife crime and youth violence team, leading to charges against two teenagers and two young men in separate incidents across Birmingham and the Black Country.
Incidents in Wolverhampton and Birmingham
On Saturday, April 25, officers from the Guardian Taskforce were patrolling in Prosser Street, Wolverhampton, when they detained a 16-year-old boy who 'reacted' to their presence. A search uncovered a zombie knife, and the teenager was charged with possession of a knife. He is due to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, May 13.
The following day, Sunday, April 26, another 16-year-old boy was arrested in Ombersley Road, Balsall Heath, after officers recovered a knife. He was charged with possession of a knife and is scheduled to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, May 14.
Young Men Charged with Knife and Drug Offences
Also on Sunday, officers arrested a 20-year-old man in Holly Bank Road, Billesley, following the recovery of a knife. Stevie Johnson, of Highfield Road, Yardley Wood, was charged with possession of a knife and will appear before magistrates on Thursday, May 28.
In a separate incident on the same morning, a vehicle was stopped in Lambourn Road, Erdington. A foot chase ensued, and a 20-year-old man was detained. Searches led to the recovery of more than 370 wraps of Class A drugs. Mohammed Adam, of Old Moat Way, Ward End, was charged with possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. He appeared before Birmingham magistrates and was remanded in custody to appear at a later date.
Police Statement
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: 'Our Guardian Taskforce continued their momentum over the weekend seizing multiple weapons and hundreds of wraps of Class A drugs. Project Guardian is a specialist taskforce which tackles knife crime and youth violence. There is particular emphasis on reducing knife crime, through a range of tactics from plain-clothed operations to high visibility patrols and positive engagement with young people.'
The force urged the public to report suspicious activity by calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
