New knife crime taskforce makes 25 arrests

Sgt Amman Jackson said educating young people was a key part of the team's work

A new taskforce tackling knife crime among young people has made 25 arrests and seized 20 weapons since being set up.

The Eastern Project Guardian team, funded by the Home Office, begun work in January in Coventry. It now also includes Solihull among its patch.

West Midlands Police said the team of nine officers were "sent to areas which have a specific problem with under-25s violence" and they had carried out more than 50 deployments.

The team has also made 45 "rehabilitation referrals" as part of engagement work aimed at reducing future offences.

Sgt Amman Jackson, team leader, said it was important to educate young people as "arrests alone cannot solve a problem like this".

Work by the taskforce includes visiting schools and transport hubs in the two areas.

"Intervening early on can help steer young people away from a life of crime, potentially saving their lives and the lives of others," Sgt Jackson said.

He said the message was: "Carrying a knife is never the right thing to do.

“Every time you do, you run the risk of arrest, or being involved in a serious crime which can have deadly consequences.

"It can ruin your life, and the lives of countless others who may be affected by your actions."