Police arrest 17 and seize knives in city operation
BBCPolice have arrested 17 people and confiscated items including two Rambo knives, a screwdriver and £1,000 in cash in Birmingham.
Operation Fearless Interchange saw more than 40 West Midlands Police (WMP) officers stationed at Birmingham New Street Station on Wednesday, which aimed to target drugs, anti-social behaviour and violence.
Sniffer dogs and a metal detector knife arch were at the station, which is one of the busiest in the country.
"We know that there are issues with drugs and theft and we've also seen issues with serious youth violence," said Det Supt Jim Munro.
"We are showing that element of the community that feels that they can come into areas like this and commit crime that the police are actively responding to that."
The operation came just two days after a teenage boy was stabbed at the station.
It launched in Erdington in January, and last month, focus was shifted to the southside area, including the Gay Village, Chinese Quarter and Arcadian.
WMP said arrests included a man spotted allegedly dealing drugs and another who was wanted on suspicion of shoplifting and failing to appear in court. He was found hiding in the toilet of a restaurant.
"We know we can't arrest our way out of homeless issues and begging... we work really closely with our colleagues in the third sector, charities, to ensure that we are providing people with the right provision," said Det Supt Munro.
"But of course, where criminality is present, we will take the right action."
He added that the operation was "funded by criminals". He told the BBC that in the south of the city, over the past 10 days, the force had taken almost £80,000 off criminals.
The WMP worked with other organisations during the operation, which included the British Transport Police and the Central Business Improvement District (BID).
Other areas with patrols were at Digbeth bus station, bus interchanges and shopping areas.
"This morning we've had a lot of positivity from our businesses… seeing police officers around makes them feel much happier," said Bryan Edwards from the BID.
"Members of the public are saying they feel more comfortable," he added.
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