Over 70 arrests made in Wolverhampton as part of operation to tackle organised crime
A number of arrests have been made since April
Police have made more than 70 arrests as part of an operation to crack down on violence and serious organised crime in Wolverhampton.
Operation Redfox launched in April in response to concerns communities have about violence in public spaces in the city.
The force is focusing in areas where there is known to be an increased risk of violence.
Officers will look at information to execute warrants, carry out proactive operations and have high visibility in hotspot areas
This includes in and around the city centre, Whitmore Reans, East Park, Heath Town, Bilston and Dunstall.
In the last six weeks West Midlands Police have arrested 61 people on suspicion of offences including possessing a weapon and disorder.
A further 13 arrests were made during last month's Sceptre week, the nationwide initiative tackling knife crime and making communities safer.
West Midlands Police said:
"As Op Redfox continues, Wolverhampton officers are out on regular high-visibility patrols and weapons sweeps with more than 130 stop and searches being carried out and 20 weapons, including knives, baseball bats and a crossbow, being seized.
"We want our open spaces to remain places for everyone to enjoy and feel safe in and we’ve brought in additional resources to identify those involved in serious organised crime locally.
"We're also educating young people with our schools teams delivering inputs at primaries, secondaries and colleges across the city, with more than 1,450 students and staff hearing about the realities and perils of carrying knives and getting involved in County Lines and drug dealing activity.
"As part of Op Redfox we are urging local people to support our work by sharing information they may have about local gang activity or crime across the city.
"Our position is clear, gang activity, carrying weapons or getting involved in organised crime – such as drug dealing – is not glamourous and can put lives at risk, including your own.
"Possession of a firearm carries a minimum five year sentence and by getting involved in any associated crime you face going to prison and having a criminal record, which impacts on your life prospects. If your friend or loved one is involved they run the risk of lengthy prison sentences and serious injury as a result of their actions. It’s not worth the risk. "