100 people arrested in week-long crime blitz

POLICE have arrested 100 people for burglary, robbery and vehicle offences during a week-long crime blitz.

Around 13 properties including a suspected ‘chop shop’ were raided and drugs and stolen vehicle parts recovered.

Police also conducted traffic operations and increased patrols and as part of the initiative dubbed Operation Calibre.

Another week of action is planned in January.

Officers also held crime prevention events across the region. They visited local schools and gave talks on gang culture and knife crime awareness.

Chief Superintendent Ian Green, of West Midlands Police, said: “Although this is a national week of action it forms part of our continuous work dealing with vehicle crime, burglary and robbery. It’s great to see that we’ve worked with partners to help prevent crime and to offer reassurance to our communities and the week has been really successful.

“We will continue our work bringing criminals to justice and working with our communities. We have a vehicle task force and their priority is dealing with vehicle crime and the work of our local policing teams in your local area helps deal with issues that you tell us is important for us to deal with.”

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “Operation Calibre was a highly commendable week of action, with more than 100 arrests carried out, linked to a range of serious crimes.

“It is an example of some excellent joined up working, across a number of areas to make the West Midlands safer for people, their families and local communities.

“I was particularly pleased to see so much essential partnership work going on - raising awareness, providing education and preventing crime, because the prevention of crime is always better than having to deal with the consequences of crime.”