The Op Skybridge team made 16 arrests for a total of 40 offences since the beginning of AprilOfficers from Operation Skybridge(Image: WMP)

West Midlands Police have made scores of arrests and seized £100,000 in cash after raids in three areas of Birmingham.

Officers from the Op Skybridge team have been deployed to Soho, Lozells, and East Handsworth to carry out proactive enforcement.

The team made 16 arrests for a total of 40 offences since the beginning of April.

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These included possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply, cultivation of cannabis, going equipped for theft, burglary, and possession of a bladed article.

Following targeted patrols in the area our officers also seized large amounts of cash totalling over £100,000, and multiple weapons such as knives, a bat and an axe.

Officers also seized 14 vehicles, and recovered two stolen vehicles.

The team work closely with the local neighbourhood team in each area to understand the priorities and concerns of local people.

They provide a highly-visible presence to deter criminal activity, make arrests and offer reassurance to the community.

While carrying out the deployment, the team made 30 stop searches which resulted in 11 arrests.

Sgt Leon Butler, from the Op Skybridge team, said: “The team has continued their extensive work targeting crimes which matter to people.

“We are constantly engaging with the community and listening to their concerns. And following intelligence from the community, we are able to target offenders and bring justice.

“Members of the community have welcomed our police presence in their area, and are appreciative to see officers patrolling the streets.

“This is pure proactive policing, causing maximum difficulty and disruption to those who are doing the most harm to our communities.

“The team work together excellently, and have shown that in each area we target, we are able to cause disruption to repeated crime.”

If you have concerns about criminal activity in your area, do not hesitate to contact the team.

You can reach out to our Op Skybridge team through Live Chat on our website. Or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, on 0800 555 111.

You can also contact the team directly by emailing them at opskybridge@westmidlands.police.uk.