Five arrested and firearm seized in NCA operation in Birmingham

14 May 2021 01:57 PM

Five people have been arrested and a firearm recovered following a National Crime Agency operation in Birmingham.

The five, all aged between 23 and 37, were detained in the Kings Norton area of the city after officers from the NCA's Armed Operations Unit stopped a car in Muirfield Gardens.

A handgun and quantity of ammunition was recovered from the scene of the arrest.

The five are all now being questioned on suspicion of possessing a firearm.

NCA and West Midlands Police officers have also carried out a number of searches in the Rubery, Stourbridge, Shenley Fields, Northfield and Longbridge areas in connection with the arrests.

NCA Branch Commander Mick Pope recently said:

"We have seen all too recently in Birmingham how illegal firearms are used in acts of serious violence, as well as being used by crime groups to coerce and intimidate.

"This is why reducing their availability and taking guns off the streets is a priority for the NCA and West Midlands Police.

"However, protecting communities from this threat cannot be achieved by law enforcement action alone. I’d encourage anyone with information about illegally held firearms to contact Crimestoppers anonymously or police."

For further information on how the NCA is tackling firearms supply in the UK, including our Know the gun, know the law, know the consequences campaign, go to: http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/firearms.