Latest news with #OperationFearless
BBC News
10-06-2025
- BBC News
Thousands of illegal vapes and cigarettes seized in Erdington
Thousands of illegal cigarettes and vapes have been seized during raids at two shops in Birmingham on raids, in Erdington, were a joint operation between West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council's trading standards came about following intelligence from the local community, and uncovered about £500,000 worth of vapes, cigarettes and tobaccos from a shop on High Street and two also found about £250,000 of goods at a shop and vehicle on York Road. The sale of single-use disposable vapes was banned in England and Wales from 1 June. Officers said the items seized would now being analysed, adding that the vehicles involved had been seized."The items seized today can be dangerous, and the profits made by those involved in their supply can bring further harm to communities," said Det Insp Tom Lyons."Intelligence from the community is really valuable, and we would urge anyone with information about goods like these to get in touch with us."The wider project, codenamed Operation Fearless, began in Erdington in January and recently expanded to the Southside area of Tariq, from Birmingham City Council's trading standards department, said it had seen some "really positive results" so far."We're determined to continue working with our partners to protect the community from illicit trade, which we know can often be linked to organised crime," he said. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- BBC News
Operation Fearless sees 17 arrests and Rambo knives seized in Birmingham
Police have arrested 17 people and confiscated items including two Rambo knives, a screwdriver and £1,000 in cash in 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 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 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. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Birmingham's viral police officer whose knife chase was viewed by more than 1 million
A Birmingham police officer has spoken of the dramatic moment he chased down a knifeman in a city tunnel. Sergeant Richard Fryer spotted Mouhammad Diagne outside Erdington train station in Station Road on January 20 - and swiftly proceeded to give chase to him after the 22-year-old tried to pedal off. Sgt Fryer proceeded to seize a lock knife from Diagne, who later admitted possession of a knife when he swiftly appeared before city magistrates on January 22. Bodycam footage of Sgt Fryer's chase and subsequent search resulted in a whopping 1.3 million views on YouTube, giving him the local nickname of 'fearless Rich.' READ MORE: West Midland Police chief's verdict on knife crime, begging and bin strikes as new operations lands Sgt Fryer is part of West Midlands Police's Operation Fearless team, a group formed of uniformed, plain clothed and cycling officers, rolled out to crack down on criminals travelling in to cause misery in Birmingham. The team launched in Erdington in January, where crime cost the taxpayer an estimated £7 million and now attention has turned to Birmingham's Southside district. BirminghamLive met Sgt Fryer on patrol on Tuesday April 29 ahead of Operation Fearless' on drug dealing, money laundering, violence and theft. On January's knife stop, Sgt Fryer recalled: "He was acting suspicious around Erdington train station and failed to stop and comply with instructions. "[I chased] him over a short distance with my push bike and he was found to have a lock knife." The video shows how Sgt Fryer's quick thinking tactics underneath the rail bridge resulted in him getting a knife off the streets. Sgt Fryer says in the video: 'Hello mate, how are you doing, are you all good? You going to stop for me?' Diagne then turns down Johnson Road and Sgt Fryer says: 'Yeah, he's making off'. He spots Diagne 'taking something out of his waistband. Sgt Fryer calls for assistance from 'someone in a car' as they travel down Dean Road and shouts at the 22-year-old: 'Stop where you are please. Stop where you are.' Sgt Fryer tells him he is being detained for a search, with a second officer taking items out of Diagne's pocket, one of which being a lock knife. The 48-year-old officer has been with West Midlands Police for 25 years, and told BirminghamLive he is a strong advocate of policing on cycles. "The bike is a really useful tool for city centre policing and especially with criminals using electric bikes and electric scooters we have had many arrests. "It is the best way to police. We are going to get lots of arrests." When asked if people recognise him from the viral video, the calm-mannered officer joked that most of the million views came his family. "People recognise my know that I am a keen advocate for bike patrols," he added. You can read everything from our patrol with the Fearless team here. Sgt Fryer was previously a responder in Acocks Green and then West Midlands Police's Guardian Taskforce. His attention will now turn to the drug dealing, money laundering, violence and theft that blights Birmingham's Southside district.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
'Lawless' high street gets dedicated police team
A Birmingham high street described by traders as "lawless" has been given a dedicated police team. Last November traders in Erdington said shoplifting and drug dealing was destroying businesses and police were failing to deal with offenders who were openly dealing and stealing products. West Midlands Police started Operation Fearless in January to tackle the issues and now a team of six officers will have a visible presence on High Street, the force said. More than 140 arrests have been made since the operation started and the "look and feel of the area" around High Street had improved, Det Supt Jim Munro, operation lead, said. The operation will move to other parts of the city with the aim of reducing crime, like shoplifting, in key areas and make people feel safer. In the 12 months up to June, a total of 26,145 shoplifting offences were recorded by the force, compared with 19,184 in the previous 12-month period. The 36% rise is higher than the average for England and Wales over the same time frame (29%). West Midlands Police said the six officers and a sergeant would be on regular patrol on High Street, speaking to local people as well as building relationships with businesses and partners. "The results we've seen in Erdington speak for themselves – not just in terms of arrests and charges, but in the look and feel of the area around the high street," Mr Munro said. "We're delighted that our work has been met with such positive feedback, and grateful to the Erdington community for their invaluable support and information. "The new dedicated High Street team will be a constant presence in the area, and although Fearless is expanding to a new location – our Fearless officers will be using their impressive local and operational knowledge to support them." The team started working in partnership with other officers in the town on 4 April, and has already made 17 arrests, the force said. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'Shoplifters are destroying our businesses'
BBC News
26-04-2025
- BBC News
'Lawless' high street gets dedicated police team
A Birmingham high street described by traders as "lawless" has been given a dedicated police November traders in Erdington said shoplifting and drug dealing was destroying businesses and police were failing to deal with offenders who were openly dealing and stealing Midlands Police started Operation Fearless in January to tackle the issues and now a team of six officers will have a visible presence on High Street, the force than 140 arrests have been made since the operation started and the "look and feel of the area" around High Street had improved, Det Supt Jim Munro, operation lead, said. The operation will move to other parts of the city with the aim of reducing crime, like shoplifting, in key areas and make people feel the 12 months up to June, a total of 26,145 shoplifting offences were recorded by the force, compared with 19,184 in the previous 12-month period. 'Constant presence' The 36% rise is higher than the average for England and Wales over the same time frame (29%).West Midlands Police said the six officers and a sergeant would be on regular patrol on High Street, speaking to local people as well as building relationships with businesses and partners."The results we've seen in Erdington speak for themselves – not just in terms of arrests and charges, but in the look and feel of the area around the high street," Mr Munro said."We're delighted that our work has been met with such positive feedback, and grateful to the Erdington community for their invaluable support and information."The new dedicated High Street team will be a constant presence in the area, and although Fearless is expanding to a new location – our Fearless officers will be using their impressive local and operational knowledge to support them."The team started working in partnership with other officers in the town on 4 April, and has already made 17 arrests, the force said. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
