The number of guns West Midlands Police recovered in the region in 2023

West Midlands Police has revealed the number of firearms they recovered in 2023.

Over the year, the force recovered more than 130 firearms from the West Midlands, up from 121 the previous year, while the number of firearms discharges fell.

On 2 October, police stopped a car in an intelligence-led operation and recovered a shotgun, drugs, handcuffs and gloves.

When they searched the driver’s house, officers found a large quantity of drugs. The driver was charged and will face trial later this year. On 13 October, officers stopped a Ford Fiesta and found a revolver loaded with two bullets. Two men have since admitted possession of the weapon and are awaiting jail.

While in November, the force found a loaded gun at the home of a suspected gang member in Handsworth. He admitted possession of the gun and will be sentenced in February.

Police also caught 11 sexual predators thanks to online undercover work to target paedophiles who arrange to meet children to sexually abuse them. One man was identified talking sexually to girls aged just 12 and 13, despite being on licence from prison for similar offences. 

Officers tracked him down to an address in Northamptonshire and arrested him. He admitted the charges and was jailed for eight years, and ordered to remain on licence for four years after that.

What has West Midlands Police said about the 2023 figures?

Det Ch Insp Ryan Chambers said: “We’re committed to taking on those who cause the most harm to communities. 

“Organised crime groups involved in drugs, guns, and criminal cash should be under no illusion that we are coming for them and will use all our powers and investigative techniques to ensure they spend many years behind bars.

“But to do this, we rely on information from the public. I’d urge anyone who has information about those involved in serious and organised crime to get in touch so that we can take action to protect the public.”