Arrests and knife seizures in police day of action

Police have raided a Wolverhampton business suspected of being a brothel, as part of an operation targeting anti-social behaviour, exploitation and gang activity.

A number of people at the premises were safeguarded, West Midlands Police said, as officers also seized 500 knives from a shop in Whitmore Reans which were not kept securely.

Nineteen people were arrested in the one-day operation for offences ranging from drug supply and burglary to threats to kill.

Ch Supt Jenny Skyrme said: "We want to protect the people of Wolverhampton from harm and deal with those people who are committing crime, and those efforts are on-going each and every day."

Officers joined up with Trading Standards, the force's off-road bike team and drone unit, as well as its serious organised crime and exploitation team to conduct patrols, visit premises and carry out enforcement and education activities.

Off-road bike officers patrolled hot spots in Bilston and police officers visited city centre pubs and nightspots during the evening, carrying out checks and making sure people were getting home safely.

Weapon sweeps were also carried out and Class A drugs were recovered, leading to men being arrested on suspicion of intent to supply following a warrant in Whitmore Reans and a car being stopped in Dudley Road, the force said.

Ch Supt Skyrme said Operation Advance was "a day of arrests, seizures and high-profile activities and these positive results were also backed up with many opportunities to connect with the residents and people across the city.

"We know that having those conversations with the people we serve is vital as it helps us understand the issues that are concerning them most," she added.

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