More weapons were seized in central Birmingham than in any other city centre in the country, according to a new map showing the neighbourhoods where people are most likely to be armed.
Hyperlocal crime figures from the Reach data unit showed weapons, including knives and guns, were most likely to be seized in town and city centres.
Last year, more crimes were recorded in Birmingham’s central neighbourhood than any other town or city centre in England and Wales, a total of 151 offences. Police are currently cracking down on crime in the centre as it becomes the latest focus of Operation Fearless.
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You can see how it compares near you using the data unit’s interactive map below.
Nationally, only the Langley Green & Gatwick Airport neighbourhood in Crawley saw a higher number of weapons offences, with a total of 527.
But that was due to weapons seized from arrivals and departures at the major international airport, the data unit suggested.
In England and Wales, after Birmingham Central, Walsall Central had the next highest number of weapons crimes (131), followed by Leeds city centre (129).
Birmingham’s North Central and Dartmouth Circus neighbourhood, also within the city centre, had the nation’s fifth-highest number of weapons offences (116).
Central Birmingha is one of the areas with the largest footfalls and the second biggest city
In Digbeth, Birmingham’s developing bohemian district, known for street art including the JFK memorial, police recorded 89 weapons crimes, the 15th highest number in England and Wales.
The map above also revealed the number and rate of weapons crimes in residential neighbourhoods.
For example, there were 66 weapon crimes recorded in the Winson Green & Gib Heath neighbourhood, a rate of 58 crimes for every 10,000 people – or one weapons offence for every 172 residents.
However, weapons offences fell by seven per cent across the region, with West Midlands Police recording a total of 6,201 weapons offences in 2024, compared to 6,679 the previous year.
WMP Operation Fearless on and around New Street and the station on May 21. Pictured: Police sniffer dog.
Last year, police across the country recorded almost 58,000 weapons offences in England and Wales, including possession of a knife, firearm, or other weapons.
However, that was around 850 fewer crimes than in 2023 – and marked the first time the overall number of weapons offences had fallen since the pandemic.
There were a record 28,000 crimes of possessing a knife or any article with a blade or point, and a record 22,000 crimes of possessing any weapon other than a knife or gun (22,000).
The stats come as the government continues to crackdown on knife crime, with Home Office plans to fine tech companies and their executives up to £70,000 for failing to remove content related to knife crime from their platforms.
The penalty includes up to £10,000 for executives and £60,000 for the company. And it follows last year’s ban on zombie-style knives and machetes, the street name given to weapons which are over eight inches in length and often have a serrated edge.
A nationwide surrender scheme will launch in July. Other measures launched by the government to tackle knife crime include a two-step verification for online retailers selling knives, increasing prison sentences for selling weapons to under-18s from six months to two years, and introducing a new offence for possessing a weapon with intent for violence with a prison sentence of up to four years.
The government is also set to launch a consultation on introducing a licensing scheme for retailers who want to sell knives.
Launching the latest measures to tackle knife crime, Crime and Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson said: “The kind of content that young people scroll through every day online is sickening and I will not accept any notion that restricting access to this harmful material is too difficult.
“Our children need more from us. That is why we are now going further than ever to hold to account the tech companies who are not doing enough to safeguard young people from content which incites violence, particularly in young boys.”
‘We are relentlessly targeting those carrying weapons’
WMP Operation Fearless in and around New Street and the station on May 21
A statement from West Midlands Police read: “While weapons offences in the West Midlands are falling, we are relentlessly targeting those who carry them, and we’re committed to continuing to drive down violent crime.
“In Birmingham city centre, Operation Fearless has expanded into the Southside area with 20 dedicated officers dealing with the issues that matter most to the community – including crime involving weapons.
“Just this month, the Fearless team has taken four knives off the streets. Fearless works alongside other projects like the Guardian Taskforce, which tackles knife crime and youth violence across the West Midlands.
“Our officers use a range of tactics including stop-and-search, plain clothed operations, high-visibility patrols, and warrants targeting serious and organised criminals.”
To read more on our full coverage of Operation Fearless in Birmingham city centre this week, click here.