Police in the West Midlands have offered a rare glimpse into their relentless battle against gun crime, releasing dramatic footage spanning five shifts of operations. This comes alongside new data revealing a significant and sustained drop in the number of shootings across the region.
A Dramatic Drop in Firearms Discharges
The latest figures show a stark improvement in the fight against illegal firearms. In 2025, police recorded 77 confirmed firearms discharges. This marks a substantial decrease from the 109 incidents recorded in 2024.
The long-term trend is even more promising. Compared to 2021, when 151 shootings were recorded, the number has effectively halved over a four-year period. This significant reduction highlights the impact of sustained police efforts.
Inside the 24/7 Police Operation
The newly released day-in-the-life style video, published with the caption "See inside our fight against gun crime," pulls back the curtain on intensive police work. The footage captures high-stakes moments, including:
- Armed officers preparing for and executing raids.
- Dynamic street pursuits leading to arrests.
- The coordinated work of specialist teams on active operations.
Alongside the falling number of shootings, police have also been successful in removing weapons from circulation. More than 160 guns were seized from the streets last year alone, preventing their potential use in future crimes.
"Even One is One Too Many"
Despite the encouraging statistics, senior officers have stressed that any level of gun crime is unacceptable. Superintendent Ryan Chambers, from the force's Major Crime Unit (MCU), acknowledged the progress but emphasised the ongoing human cost.
"While it’s really positive that the number of firearms discharges has gone down, we know that even one is one too many," said Supt Chambers. "The devastation that gun crime causes is immense. Even in cases where no one has been injured, we know the fear that people living in the area experience in the aftermath of a shooting."
He outlined the force's continued commitment, stating: "We continue to work flat out in our pursuit of those involved in gun crime, alongside neighbourhood officers, intelligence analysts, and other specialist capabilities to ensure that there is no hiding place for people who think it’s acceptable to arm themselves with firearms."
The police continue to urge the community to come forward with any information related to gun crime, underscoring that public cooperation is vital to maintaining the downward trend and making streets safer.
