The PCC, Simon Foster, has paid for a new knife arch to be deployed in Walsall using money seized from criminals.
It means the St Matthew’s neighbourhood team have their own knife arch in their battle against serious under-25 youth violence.
The money used to pay for the arch was obtained by making legal seizures against offenders under the proceeds of crime act.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: “I’m pleased to see ill-gotten gains being put to excellent use by officers in Walsall town centre.
“Knife crime is one of my three top priorities for this coming term of office.
“This new knife arch will act as a real deterrent against serious violence. It’s already had a positive impact to help tackle crime this week.”
Superintendent Pervez Mohammed, from the team at Walsall LPA, said: “Our priority in Walsall is tackling knife crime and reducing serious violence in the under 25s and this knife arch will significantly enhance our capability to detect and deter such crimes.
“The arch’s portable ease of use allows for rapid deployment when needed and will offer an excellent tool for our officers.”
Officers have also been carrying out a number of stop and searches in the town this week and arrested a male on suspicion of a bladed article.
During a recent operation at Walsall train station, alongside British Transport Police and Staffordshire Police, officers also seized a large quantity of fake perfume and arrested a man on suspicion of two thefts.
Inspector Pete Poolton, neighbourhood policing manager at Walsall LPA, added: “This equipment will be extremely valuable in our efforts to reduce serious under-25 violence in the town centre. Beyond enforcement, the arch will serve as an educational tool, increasing awareness of the consequences of carrying knives, particularly among youths in key areas like the town centre.
“Our officers have given us some great feedback so far in its ease of use and we are hoping it will play an important role in assisting us in our efforts to combat knife crime in the town centre.”
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