Op Advance: Dedicated operation to tackle crime and engage with community across Solihull

We have more police officers and specialist units joining our Solihull teams today for an intensive day of action as Operation Advance returns to the borough.

Op Advance is a force-wide initiative which takes place in each local policing area across the West Midlands throughout the year.

Operations, enforcement activity, and community engagement events have all been planned to take place throughout the day.

Officers will be targeting organised and violent-crime, road safety offences including speeding, and carrying out anti-social behaviour patrols.

We’ll also be looking out for vehicle crime offences and working with partners and businesses to act on retail crime.

Our Solihull teams will be out in their neighbourhoods alongside specialist officers and staff from departments including police dogs, our mounted unit, and our traffic officers.

We’ll also be joined by some of our partners to further act on issues impacting residents and businesses.

Activity has already begun with teams heading out during the early hours to arrest suspects for a range of offences.

Superintendent Michelle Davies, from Solihull Police, said: "Today sees Operation Advance return to Solihull, which has been planned to ensure maximum impact in tackling the crimes affecting our borough and issues that matter most to our communities.

"We are drawing on all of the force's resources to come and respond to our community's needs in the area.

"We will be out and about, engaging with members of the public. We will also be out proactively, seeking out suspects, and running a number of operations, including speed operations, because the public have told us that it is important to them.

"We want to reassure you that this is not just a one-day fixture. There are officers out in the local communities responding to your needs continually every day. Sometimes you may not see us, but believe us, we are there. We have eyes and ears everywhere, making sure that our public is safe to both live in Solihull, enjoy Solihull, and also for those travelling in.

"If you see us out and about. Come and speak to us, get an understanding of what we are doing for your local area and raise any concerns you may have.

"We look forward to seeing you throughout the day."