Arrests increase after West Midlands Police focus on apprehending more young knife crime offenders
More young people are being arrested for knife crime in the Black Country, West Midlands top cop has revealed.
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Chief Constable Craig Guildford announced the reduction in knife crime at the force's new custody suite in Bournville, which when open will relieve pressure on Oldbury and Perry Barr's cell blocks.
He said: "We have seen a reduction in knife crimes, we have seen a 15 per cent reduction in robbery where a knife has been used. And we continue to bear down on that crime and it is very important for me as Chief Constable."
The scourge of knife crime has become a priority for West Midlands Police as children as young as 12 are being stabbed or stabbing other young people.
Acknowledging knife crime offenders are now younger than ever before, he said: "Our aim is to prevent knife crime offences and to detect those offences. Younger people between aged 15 and 25 are predominantly the victims but also the offenders, particularly for knife enabled robberies.
