Teen arrested after police seize knife following Primark Chase in Birmingham

15-year-old boy has been arrested by police after a chase through Primark in Birmingham revealed a knife

A 15-year-old boy was arrested by police after a dramatic chase through Primark in Birmingham, during which a knife was discovered.

West Midlands Police officers initially stopped to talk to the boy, but he fled the scene. Eventually, they caught up with him, and a search revealed a 25cm-long (9.8in) blade.

The West Midlands Police force area has the highest rate of knife crime offenses in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

In 2023, there were 180 knife-related offenses per 100,000 of the population, surpassing even the London Metropolitan Police’s total of 165. Despite this concerning statistic, overall crime in the West Midlands has decreased by 5%.

West Midlands Police (WMP), which was placed into special measures in November, said it had been working hard to improve the force.

The Project Guardian task force, established in 2019, has been actively working to combat knife crime and youth violence. Last month alone, they seized over 60 knives during patrols. The situation underscores the ongoing effort.