A three-month operation in Walsall town centre, funded by Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, targeting organised crime, youth violence and anti-social behaviour, has proved to be a huge success.
Operation Prosper was launched in Walsall back in April for 12 weeks. During that period 43 people were arrested for a variety of crimes, while 72 stop and searches were carried out. The top three arrests were theft from shops and stalls, possession of Class A drugs and possession of a knife, bladed article or offensive weapon.
From the stop and searches, dangerous weapons were recovered including knives, knuckle dusters, a broken mirror with a pointed edge and a broken glass bottle with serrated edges. Officers also seized Class A drugs and stolen cars were also recovered.
There was also joint work with the force’s Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation (SOCEX) team, which led to the disruption of a brothel in the town, with vulnerable women and girls safeguarded.
West Midlands PCC Simon Foster said of his investment to combat crime in Walsall: “Operation Prosper is a powerful example of the difference that proactive, visible and locally based policing can make. I am committed to continuing to rebuild community policing – to ensure we have an accessible, reassuring and visible police presence out on the streets, keeping people, families, businesses and local communities safe and secure.
“The success of this operation shows what can be achieved, when we invest in neighbourhood policing and work closely with our communities, to prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour head-on.”
West Midlands Police’s Operation Guardian team also took part in patrols in the town centre where they targeted tackling knife crime and serious youth violence in notorious hot spot areas in and around Walsall Bus Station, Park Street, Bradford Street and Gallery Square in the town centre.
Sergeant Alex Backrath, from the Op Prosper team, added: “Operation Prosper was a great success with more than 40 arrests made and over 70 stop and searches. A variety of weapons were seized as well as Class A drugs.
“I would like to thank the public for playing their part as the intelligence they provided led to some good arrests and disruption of criminal activity in Walsall.
“Operation Prosper represented a proactive approach to tackling the issues that matter most to the people of Walsall and we will continue to work tirelessly to tackle criminality and organised crime in the town.”
Operation Prosper was funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster. He provided £25,000 to help set up a dedicated team, which was made up of one Sergeant and five officers.
Due to its success, the operation will now be extended throughout the summer and will include Willenhall town centre, four miles west. This has been possible through the PCC’s Safer Streets Summer Initiative, where 27 high streets and towns in the West Midlands will benefit from an increased police presence, delivering on the Commissioner’s commitment, to rebuild and improve neighbourhood policing and support communities.
To report crime online, visit the dedicated West Midlands Police page here.
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