Operation Fearless: Residents get behind our drive to bring down crime in Erdington

“So pleased to hear crime is getting sorted out” – just one of the messages we’ve had following the launch of Operation Fearless, a major new initiative to drive down crime and improve life for people in Erdington.

We formally launched our operation on Tuesday (7 January), with high-visibility patrols around the area, alongside knife-detecting equipment at the train station.

The Fearless team also hit the high street, supported by colleagues with dogs, drones and even horses from Thames Valley Police who we invited to support the launch.

 

Through our WMnow service, where you can receive the latest updates and directly send us your feedback, we’re really pleased to have had positive messages from residents and people working in Erdington.

One said: “I work in Erdington High Street and I’ve definitely seen a difference… I hope this lasts, the High Street needs this help.”

Another commented: “Thank goodness action is being taken… many thanks for trying to clean up our Erdington Village.”

Another resident commented via WMnow: “Thanks for the updates! I find these really interesting and heartening. Thank you for making us safer.”

Operation Fearless has been made possible thanks to £880,000 funding from Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who is using money seized from criminals – which one Erdington resident described as “a really good use of some of the proceeds of crimes”.

 

Our teams met lots of you while on patrol, with many people commenting on how pleased they were to see officers around the area.

This was reflected on WM Now as well, as one message said: “Good to have ambitious plans… a visible police presence should reap many benefits.”

Det Supt Jim Munro, who is leading Operation Fearless, said: “We’re grateful for this positive feedback and after the success of the launch, our work will not be slowing down.

“The Fearless team, who work closely with partners from the city council, transport operators, and others. will continue to work tirelessly to drive down crime and improve Erdington for everyone.

Tuesday’s launch saw:

• One man wanted on suspicion of burglary in the West Mercia area arrested in an operation targeting criminals using the bus network to travel into Erdington
• One man arrested for failing to appear at court
• Two vehicles seized – one because it was being used in crime, and another because it was being driven without insurance
• Six men arrested for conspiracy to defraud over the seizure of £500,000 of counterfeit and illicit goods, including cigarettes, vapes, and prescription medication, in a joint operation with BCC’s Trading Standards team.

Find out more about Operation Fearless here 👉 Operation Fearless | West Midlands Police

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