A new crime-fighting team of officers are continuing to have a huge impact in Walsall town centre and surrounding areas following the launch of Operation Prosper.
The targeted crackdown has been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster as West Midlands Police flush the town of organised crime and anti-social behaviour.
In less than a month, officers have conducted a series drug raids and have recovered a number of weapons, including knives, knuckle dusters and nun chucks.
Stolen cars have also been recovered, while the team have made 20 arrests in a three-week period since Operation Prosper first launched.
Joint work with the local policing area’s Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation (SOCEx) team is also ongoing with intelligence leading to the disruption of a brothel in the town, with vulnerable women and girls now being supported by dedicated officers and specialists.
West Midlands Police’s Operation Guardian team have also been on hand to support efforts to tackle knife crime and serious youth violence in notorious hot spot areas in and around Walsall Bus Station, Park Street, Bradford Street and Gallery Square in the town centre.
The increased police presence and additional visibility of the Operation Prosper team is also having an impression on those who live, work and travel through Walsall, with the public feeling reassured by the number of officers out on patrol.
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster who, last month, secured an additional 150 neighbourhood officers for West Midlands Police, spoke about the success Operation Prosper is having in Walsall.
He said: “Operation Prosper is a testament to our commitment to making Walsall a safer place. The significant impact we’ve seen in such a short period is encouraging, and it highlights the importance of targeted and visible policing action.
“The recovery of weapons, stolen vehicles, and the disruption of criminal activities are crucial steps in our ongoing fight against organised crime and anti-social behaviour.
“The increased police presence is not only deterring crime but also providing reassurance to the community. We will continue to support and expand these efforts to ensure the safety and security of all residents.
“I am committed to rebuilding community policing, promoting community safety and keeping the people, families, businesses and communities of Walsall and the West Midlands safe and secure.”
Sergeant Jennifer Hulston, from the Op Prosper team, added: “We want people to be coming into Walsall to use the facilities and know it is a safe town. We want people to enjoy themselves and to go to restaurants and bars, to have a shop and come and have a good time.
“But we need people to treat it with respect, look after it and that’s what we want to do for them as well, clearing the streets of criminality or anti-social behaviour.”
She added: “Walsall’s a good place to be, an amazing place to live and we need to encourage others to be on board. I’d like to thank the public for their feedback since Op Prosper launched – their intelligence has led to a number of good results in terms of arrests and disruption of criminal activity.
“We want Walsall to succeed and flourish and that’s what Operation Prosper has been set out to help us achieve.”
To report crime online, visit the dedicated West Midlands Police page here.
To keep up-to-date on policing operations in Walsall, follow Walsall Police on Facebook.
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