New Walsall police team carry out string of arrests

Officers from Op Prosper have detained people for offences ranging from  possessing offensive weapons to being concerned in the production of drugs after a cannabis farm was discovered.

They arrested and charged 19-year-old Olivia Siwak, from Walsall, with possession of a knife or sharp pointed article in a public place after a stop and search on Darwall Street, shortly before 2pm yesterday (Thursday).

She was remanded to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court today (Friday) for a first hearing.

A 29-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon after police were called to reports of a fight. 

A man fled from officers during the incident which took place at around 6.30pm yesterday (Thursday) at St Paul’s bus station in Walsall. 

 Officers chased and detained him and then took him in to custody where he remains as further enquiries are carried out. A knuckle duster was also recovered from the scene.

Four men, two aged 29, one aged 24 and a 22-year-old were arrested after a cannabis farm containing around 100 plants was discovered on Lumley Road in Walsall. All four were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of cannabis and remain there while further enquiries are carried out.

The Op Prosper team has been funded by £25,000 from the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and sees the establishment of a new targeted enforcement team to crack down on youth violence, organised crime and anti-social behaviour.

The team is made up of a sergeant and five officers and is focused on cracking down on crime by arresting known offenders, disrupting organised criminal gangs and those intent on inflicting fear and misery to the people who live, work and commute through Walsall town centre.

The operation concentrates on reducing organised criminal activity in known hotspot locations within the St Matthew’s ward in Walsall.