More than 70 arrested in crime crackdown

More than 70 people have been arrested over the past six weeks in a police operation to cut serious organised crime and violence in Wolverhampton.

Operation Redfox was started by West Midlands Police in April, with the force targeting areas around the city centre, Whitmore Reans, East Park, Heath Town, Bilston and Dunstall.

A total of 61 have been arrested on suspicion of offences that include possession of a weapon and disorder, and a further 13 in connection with knife crime.

Officers have seized 20 weapons, including knives, baseball bats and a crossbow, during more than 130 stop and searches, police said.

The force said it had executing warrants, carried out proactive operations and increased visibility in crime hotspots.

Officers are also visiting schools in the city to warn about carrying knives, county lines and drug dealing.

Residents have been asked to share information with police about local gangs or people carrying weapons. "[It] is not glamorous and can put lives at risk, including your own," a spokesperson said.

They added possession of a firearm carried a minimum sentence of five years and highlighted the risk of serious injury.

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