Guns seizure up by 40%, police force says

The number of firearms seized by West Midlands Police rose by 40% in 2024, compared to the previous year.

Among the 210 guns was a Madsen machine gun, which was found hidden behind a bath panel, along with tools to convert blank-firing guns into working weapons.

Police officers also made 45 arrests in connections with the seizures.

Det Supt Ryan Chambers, head of the major crime unit, said: "The impact of taking 200 guns off the streets of the region in a year can't be underestimated."

In addition the force's "reactive officers", who respond when serious crimes such as shootings take place, charged more than 40 people with offences including murder and conspiracy to murder.