Deadly weapons and drugs have been seized by officers from a specialist police team tackling youth violence across the region
Project Guardian officers on patrol in Wolverhampton
Deadly weapons were seized from boys in the West Midlands following stops by a specialist police team.
Guardian taskforce officers, tasked with tackling knife crime and youth violence, seized a zombie knife, machete and knuckle duster from three different boys in the region over the weekend.
While two men were also arrested on suspicion of drugs offences after a quantity of Class B drugs were recovered.
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In Birmingham, Guardian officers arrested a 17-year-old boy in The Priory Queensway in the city centre after a machete was recovered following searches.
The boy was arrested on Saturday (March 28) and has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
While another weapon was found, this time in the Black Country, when officers from the Guardian team were patrolling around Walsall town centre on Saturday (March 28).
They carried out a stop search on a 16-year-old boy who was acting suspiciously. Following searches, officer recovered a knuckle duster.
The boy was arrested on suspicion of an offensive weapon. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
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Later in the afternoon, a 17-year-old boy was stopped, and following searches, officers recovered a zombie knife.
The boy was arrested for possession of a bladed article, and also for assaulting a police officer.
He has since been charged with the offences and was due too appear before Wolverhampton magistrates today.
While, on Sunday, Guardian officers were patrolling around Chelmsley Wood in Solihull, and arrested two men aged 20 and 21 on suspicion of drugs offences after a quantity of Class B drugs were recovered.
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A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said; “Our Guardian Taskforce has had another busy weekend making multiple arrests and seizing weapons to keep the streets safe.
“Project Guardian is a specialist taskforce which tackles knife crime and youth violence.
“There is particular emphasis on reducing knife crime, through a range of tactics from plain-clothed operations to high visibility patrols and positive engagement with young people.
“If you see something suspicious in your area get in touch with us by calling 101, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to stay anonymous.”
