Here’s how many guns were seized by West Midlands Police last year

According to the latest figures, the West Midlands has the highest rate of gun crime in England and Wales.

Home Office figures released last year show that West Midlands Police recorded 721 crimes involving firearms that year – and has dealt with 9,993 since police force level records began in 2007-08.

There were 25 firearm offences for every 100,000 people in the West Midlands policing area in 2020-21 – up from 24 the year before and the highest rate in England and Wales.

But in Birmingham alone, police recorded 68 firearms discharges across the city which is down by 10 on 2020 and down from 86 in 2018.

More than 100 guns seized in West Midlands

And West Midlands Police has now revealed that they seized more than 100 lethal firearms last year.

During 2021, West Midlands Police recovered a total of 132 viable firearms, including sawn-off shotguns, pistols and revolvers, plus a stash of ammunition.

Many of the recoveries are on the back of planned operations targeting gang members or people we believe are holding firearms for other people.

Assistant Chief Constable Claire Bell said: “We’re working around the clock to identify and arrest people linked to guns and gangs.

“Our specialist gangs units are continually reviewing the intelligence picture to understand the make-up and threat of OCGs (Organised Crime Gangs), disrupting their activity and carrying out regular enforcement.

“We’re making regular arrests of people who pose a serious danger to our communities.

“The work is really important and every single one of these guns we’ve recovered represents a potential life saved.”

One of the firearms seizures came on 15 June last year when the force found a gun hidden behind the toilet of an Erdington flat during a dawn raid.

It was examined and found to be a viable revolver loaded with two live bullets.

A man called Helder Darame, aged 23, was arrested and later jailed for five years.

ACC Bell added: “I’d urge everyone to work with us and provide information on suspicious activity or people suspected to have access to weapons.

“We really appreciate information passed to us about gun possession or suspicious activity and will act on it swiftly to protect the public.”

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