West Midlands Police

01/06/2026

This summer, we are working with Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands to encourage you to stay alert when and report anything that you see or hear that doesn’t feel right.

As we head into summer months, thousands of people across the West Midlands will be heading out to enjoy events such as music festivals, sports matches and other summer holiday activities.

Unfortunately, we know that crowded or very busy events and venues could be attractive targets for terrorist or other criminal activity. The UK terrorist threat level was recently raised to SEVERE, meaning an attack is highly likely.

We are working with event organisers, venues and local businesses across the region to encourage vigilance amongst communities and to report suspicious activity.

There’s no specific intelligence or information regarding an increased threat to the region. However we are reminding you of the vital role you can play in keeping yourself and your friends and family safe when out and about this summer.

You know your surroundings better than anyone else and you know if something isn’t right. Whether you’re commuting to work, heading out with friends or planning a trip to a festival, remember to stay alert and if you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right, report it to security staff where you are or police straight away.

Detective Chief Superintendent Alison Hurst, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, said: “We’ve got another summer of fantastic events taking place in the region. Many of you will be heading out to watch World Cup matches, enjoy some of the fantastic live music events within our cities, or planning trips to local food festivals and other community events.

“We want to reassure that we’re not issuing this guidance based on intelligence of an increased threat to the West Midlands. This national campaign aims to remind everyone of the importance of staying vigilant, looking out for each other and reporting suspicious activity.

“We work with local businesses, venues and those organising events to share this messaging and encourage their staff to take action if they see something that doesn’t feel right.

“You can help by staying alert and reminding your friends and family to stay vigilant while out and about. If something causes you concern, trust your instincts and let us know straight away – don’t wait for someone else to do it.”

When you’re heading out this summer, stay alert and follow our advice:

• If you see something unusual or that doesn’t feel right, report it to security where you are, police or online at gov.uk/ACT.
• Look out for each other and don’t delay or wait for someone else to report.
• Anyone can complete the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) Awareness e-Learning on ProtectUK; this will help you be prepared in the event of a terrorist attack.
• Security guidance and ACT e-Learning can also be found on the ProtectUK platform.
• In an emergency, always call 999.

31/05/2026

Do you know where your closest weapon surrender bin is?

Weapon surrender bins offer safe, anonymous way to dispose of knives. In the force area, we have over 30 weapon surrender bins that offer anyone the opportunity to dispose of a knife, or bladed weapon anonymously.

In the past three months, almost 2000 weapons have been taken off the streets thanks to these weapon surrender bins, and this includes knives, guns, swords, and machetes.

To keep up the momentum from a successful Sceptre week - a week of intensified action to tackle knife crime - we are launching a mini campaign to encourage young people, and adults, to safely dispose of unwanted knives and bladed articles using weapon surrender bins located across the region.

You can find your closest weapon surrender bin here: https://orlo.uk/n0LHr

30/05/2026

In May, we took part in Sceptre week, a national week of action aimed at reducing knife crime and serious youth violence.

Across the West Midlands, the force came together to sweep parks for weapons, arrest those carrying weapons, talk to pupils about the dangers of carrying a knife, and complete test purchasing of knives from retailers.

Officers from across the force, with the help of our cadets and volunteers, completed 113 weapon sweeps which helped take eight weapons off our streets. Our police cadets learnt how to search areas properly under the supervision of our neighbourhood officers and took the opportunity to hand out knife crime prevention leaflets to local residents.

Throughout the week, officers did over 350 stop searches just for knives, weapons, or stolen items, which led to the recovery of 24 knives. A total of 46 knives and 60 people were arrested across the week as a direct result of our Sceptre activity.

Our officers also attended 465 community engagements that focused on spreading awareness of knife crime. Our neighbourhood and schools' officers gave 201 knife crime talks in schools that reached 6200 pupils in one week. Engagement and crime prevention is an integral part of policing and helps our young people make positive choices.

In addition to our usual patrols, officers completed extra patrols in areas known for antisocial behaviour, drug dealing, and knife crime. These patrols included a mix of uniformed and plain clothes officers, dog units, firearms officers and traffic officers.

During the week, we were able to search 23 premises for weapons, knives, and illicit substances thanks to intelligence from arrests and reports from the public.

Along with our local authority partners, we were able to do test purchasing operations and complete 200 retailer visits to stop the supply and sales of knives to those under the age of 18. Trading standards enforcement officers regularly check in with retailers and licensed premises to ensure they are not selling illicit, illegal or counterfeit items to the public.
In Sandwell, the West Bromwich team patrolled and swept green spaces in Great Barr and Newton and also checked in with local businesses in Stone Cross and Charlemont Farm around knife crime sales. Our dedicated neighbourhood officer for the area visited Hateley Heath Academy to speak to year 5 and year 6 pupils about knife crime.

In Coventry, our schools' officers delivered knife crime inputs to hundreds of primary and secondary school pupils. In Binley and Willenhall, officers showed pupils at St Anne's Primary school and St Bartholomew’s Primary School the consequences of carrying a knife through virtual reality headsets.

In Birmingham, cadets and cadet leaders from our Sutton Coldfield team searched to Rookery Park to complete a knife sweep and litter pick. The cadets searched along hedgerows, around play areas, and in shrubs with metal detectors but thankfully no weapons were found.

In Longbridge, officers set up a knife arch at the Cross City train line and recovered a knife in an alleyway next to Bristol Road South while on patrol.
In Dudley, PSCO Denyer and PCSO Tonkinson from the Tettenhall, Penn, and Merry Hill team swept Penk Rise for weapons. Later that week, the team joined forces with Staffordshire Police to sweep green spaces along Dippons Lane. The team continued the good work joining forces with local metal detectorists to search the Windsor Playing Fields.

In Walsall, PC Leigh Thompson-Clarke, who is our Under 25s Serious Violence Co-Ordinator at Walsall, linked up with London-based FazAmnesty - a group focuses on supporting and protecting vulnerable people, and works alongside a number of UK police forces.

The group parked up outside St Paul’s Bus Station where they engaged with young people where they showed them how to use a bleed kit, including the use of a tourniquet when dealing with a stab wound and how to seal wounds. There was also an opportunity to hand in weapons to FazAmnesty anonymously and no questions asked.
In Solihull, our Chelmsley Wood neighbourhood team carried out a weapon sweep in Meriden park. The team were joined by Street Watch, and following patrols and searches, two knives were recovered. Later on in the week, the team searched the park again, this time armed with a cadet troop and three metal detectors - luckily no knives were found on this occasion.

In Wolverhampton, Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Paul Drover attended Lanesfield Primary School as year 6 pupils heard about the dangers of carrying a knife and the tragic consequences it can bring, first-hand from Pooja and Nikita Kanda.

During this visit, ACC Drover signed the Ben Kinsella pledge that asks supporters to signpost young people and families to the right support services, create safe spaces for young people, and champion work that prevents knife crime. You can add your name or organisation to the pledge here: https://orlo.uk/Ve3wV

Reflecting on the success of Sceptre week, Inspector Colin Gallier, from our Project Guardian team, said: “Taking action against those who cause harm to other or carry a weapon remains a top priority for our force. Initiatives like Sceptre are vital in raising awareness, promoting education, and strengthening partnerships across the West Midlands.

"Project Guardian, our taskforce dedicated to reducing serious youth violence, knife crime, and knife-enabled robberies in public spaces, continues to operate 7 days a week. Supported by our specialist teams, Project Guardian will continue removing weapons from our streets and disrupting violence through targeted efforts in every policing area.

"We've seen great results from this Sceptre week, but the work does not stop here. Collaboration with our partners, the local authority, and local businesses is essential to keeping the momentum from this week of action - policing alone cannot solve this issue.

"A huge thank you to our police cadets, and volunteers, who have dedicated their time, and worked with our local teams, to make the West Midlands a safer place to live.

"We urge you to share any information you might have about knife crime and illegal knife sales to us either online, via 101 or 100% anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

For more information about knife crime, or for advice on how to have a conversation around knife crime, visit our website: https://orlo.uk/L4xB9

29/05/2026

| We're pleased to tell you that Mary who was missing from Birmingham has been found safe.

We always appreciate your support and shares - thank you.

28/05/2026

| We're still looking to locate Jaaziel. Can you help? Call 999, quoting 5569-210526.

| Have you seen Jaaziel, aged 34 from Birmingham area?

Jaaziel was last seen at 1230 on the 14th May 2026 and is 6ft tall, Medium built with black hair.

If you see Jaaziel, who is vulnerable, call 999, quoting log 5569-210526

27/05/2026

| Have you seen William Coney?

The 27-year-old is wanted on recall to prison.

If you see him, please call 101 quoting 20/14152/26.

26/05/2026

Here's some advice on keeping safe during the warm weather

26/05/2026

| Earlier in the year, we reached out to you asking you to complete our antisocial behaviour (ASB) survey.

We want to thank every single person who responded to the survey.

All your responses have now been collated, analysed and fed into local policing ASB plans that have now been shared with your local commander and councils.

Every police force across England and Wales creates an ASB action plan. The plans explain how each police force intends to reduce and prevent ASB.

The aim of the plan is to make your communities safer by stopping, preventing, and responding to ASB more effectively.

The action plan details how we will work with partners such as councils to identify issues. We’ve also included how we intend to solve these challenges from 2026 onwards.

For more information about the ASB plan here: https://orlo.uk/d5Yxd

24/05/2026

An officer has described the unforgettable moment of representing the force at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, and parading infront of the royal family.

Alice Petrie is part of our Forces Equine Team, which also features an officer from Avon & Somerset and North Wales Police.

The trio travelled down to the grounds of Windsor Castle last week to take part in the show jumping discipline of the Royal Horse show.

Over 20 teams made up of police and military personnel took part in the event. The team representing WMP actually finished in the quickest time, but a knocked down pole and the following time penalty pushed them down to third.

As well as the honour of finishing third, Alice also had the honour of taking part in the royal parade on horse ‘Red’, and as roaring crowds cheered as she saluted the royal box.

“I have been riding since the age of five, but never experienced anything like this. Red coped with the huge atmosphere so well and gave such a great round,” said Alice.

“If somebody had told me even a couple of years ago that I would be competing in the main arena at royal Windsor Horse Show, in full dress uniform representing West Midlands Police on my own horse and then parading for the Royal family who attended the event…including the King and Prince Edward, I would never have believed them!

“It’s been a phenomenal experience and one I will never forget.”