Knife arches in place at Selly Oak train station as police tackle Birmngham drugs supply

A large police presence is at Selly Oak railway station on Thursday afternoon to tackle county lines drug dealing
Joe Forte
By Joe Forte
Published 13th Oct 2022, 17:09 BST
Updated 14th Oct 2022, 09:42 BST

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Police officers descended on Selly Oak railway station on Thursday (13 October) to prevent drugs and weapons being transported through the region.

Train passengers raised their eyebrows at the high number of police officers at the station, popular with students as it’s near the university.

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Around 20 West Midlands Police officers were seen at the station, with the force conducting the operation to tackle the movement of drugs and weapons through the rail network. The British Transport Police said the primary aim of the operation was to tackle county lines activity and identify and safeguard vulnerable individuals exploited by the practice.

A metal detection arch was erected at the station as police crack down on county lines drug dealing in the West MidlandsA metal detection arch was erected at the station as police crack down on county lines drug dealing in the West Midlands
A metal detection arch was erected at the station as police crack down on county lines drug dealing in the West Midlands

Officers used a number of specialist resources including a metal detection arch to search people for weapons and drugs. Security metal detectors can detect concealed weapons such as guns or knives. They are also useful in detecting foil wrapped drugs.

The county lines drug supply model is the practice of trafficking drugs into rural areas and smaller towns, away from major cities. By being at the station on Thursday, the force can put a stop to the operation.

Police at the station on Thursday afternoonPolice at the station on Thursday afternoon
Police at the station on Thursday afternoon

A number of criminals have been arrested for running county lines operations in the West Midlands this year. In March, 109 people were arrested in the region, and close to £1-million of drugs were seized, as well as £20,000+ in cash - highlighting how much of an issue county lines drug dealing is becoming in the region.

What has the British Transport Police said about the operation?

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A statement from the BTP, read: “Our officers are at Selly Oak station today (13 October) conducting an operation tackling the movement of drugs using the rail network. The operation is just one example of the daily deployments we carry out across the railway nationwide to crack down on drug supply.

“Its aim is to tackle county lines activity and identify and safeguard vulnerable individuals exploited in this crime type. As part of the operation, officers use a number of specialist resources including a metal detection arch.”

Passengers pass through a metal detection arch at the stationPassengers pass through a metal detection arch at the station
Passengers pass through a metal detection arch at the station

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