More than 300 officers took part in Operation Advance on Wednesday
09:01, 18 Jul 2025Updated 09:07, 18 Jul 2025
Police officers flooded Birmingham city centre(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
More than 40 people were arrested, vehicles seized, and drugs recovered in a Birmingham-wide crime crackdown.
More than 300 officers took part in Operation Advance on Wednesday, July 16, starting with dawn raids on suspects and running into the night with armed patrols targeting people linked to gangs and serious and organised crime.
West Midlands Police worked with the city council, Network Rail, business improvement district staff and more.
READ MORE: Nine ‘dangerous’ e-bikes seized during police operation in Birmingham city centre
The arrests were among a total of 209 made across West Midlands Police on Wednesday.
Operation Advance Targets Illegal E-bikes In Birmingham City Centre
Officers:
• Stopped and searched 20 people
• Seized more than ten vehicles
• Seized nine illegal e-bikes
• Targeted off-road bikes in Acocks Green, seizing three and arresting two people
• Arrested three people on Erdington High Street on suspicion of drugs offences
• Worked with British Transport Police and immigration officials to disrupt and arrest County Lines drug suspects at the city’s train stations
• Recovered 30 cans of nitrous oxide from a shop and arrested a man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply
• Ran patrols with gangs and firearms officers
• Used a drone to help arrest two suspected drug dealers
• Arrested three people on suspicion of theft in Selly Oak
• Targeted dangerous drivers in Northfield
Police seized a number of e-bikes in the city centre(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
Chief Supt Tom Joyce, of Birmingham Police, said: “This was a fantastic day of really high-profile activity, using everyone from neighbourhood officers, to intelligence, traffic, firearms, gangs officers, investigators and more.
“The activity is designed to be really visible and reassuring, while making a real impact in communities across the whole city.
“This is all about making our town centres safe and welcoming for everyone, while making them hostile places for anyone wanting to commit crime.
“Advance will be returning to Birmingham later in the year when we will be out in full force again to have that significant impact that using teams from across the West Midlands brings.
“In the meantime, Birmingham officers will continue working 24/7 to make the city safer and help and support people when they need us most.”
British Transport Police Chief Inspector Ross Reidy said: “Ensuring our policing efforts reach all areas of the city is amplified when working in partnership.
“These high presence operations offer reassurance for the public and act as a visual deterrent to those intending to commit crime.
“The safety of the public and passengers remains our priority which is why we conduct dedicated patrols and operations like these. We encourage all passengers to save 61016 to their phones in case they ever need us.”