West Midlands Police have announced their latest strategy to tackle knife and gun crimes, as the West Midlands has been revealed to have the highest numbers of crimes involving sharp instruments. The force, as a part of Operation Sceptre, which is a nationwide effort to help tackle knife crime. The latest way in which West Midlands Police are attempting to tackle this is with a volunteer detectorist that patrols with officers around parks in Walsall. Jamie Knight, who volunteers alongside officers, said: “If I find just one weapon in the time, I do this and potentially save a life it’s all been worth it.” Mr Knight originally took up metal detecting as a way to help cope with his partners’ cancer diagnosis. As a result of projects like these, figures from the Office for National Statistics have shown that in the West Midlands, there has been three percent decrease in knife or sharp instrument offences. Andy Ryan, an Engagement and Consultation Officer for West Midlands Police, said: “It’s wonderful to have someone with his [Jamie’s] skills helping out and all in his own time.”
Pictured below is Jamie working with officers in Brownshills searching for weapons.
Photo credit for this article :West Midlands Police
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