More to come from Operation No Deal, says chief
The police chief behind Operation No Deal has said there is still work to be done, despite taking more than 50 drug dealers off the streets.
The operation, led by Detective Chief Inspector Paul Drover, was created almost two years ago and led to raids on a number of people believed to be involved in drug dealing.
But he said there is long-term work that needs to be carried out to prevent youngsters in gangs of taking the place of their elders who are now in prison.
Operation No Deal has currently put 25 drug dealers behind bars for a total of more than 50 years, with a number still going through the court system.
DCI Drover said: "Historically with the gangs in Wolverhampton, you see the youth element coming through to replace their elders.
"Going back to 2004, there was youth on the periphery that have gone on to become members of the gangs.
"This is why police response can't be the only option, and we have to provide the youngsters with support to show them that there is a different route.
"Operation No Deal is not over, and giving support to our youth.
"In the long term, the emerging criminal groups will be looked at by my teams."
DCI Drover said the police have already made progress with youngsters from the Heath Town area.
He added: "It is important that the youth get support.
"However, if we get somebody using a six inch knife, or using a firearm, then they will be dealt with by the police.
"We will be supporting the youth by working with community groups and schools in relation to ensuring that the children don't see the gang lifestyle and that in life there are other alternatives.
"We have already seen this working in Heath Town. Eight or nine months ago the group there was far larger than it is now."
Police formulated the operation after a series of shootings in the city in early 2012.
They talked to people throughout Wolverhampton who told them that gangs and drug dealing were significant issues that needed to be tackled.
After gathering information, a series of dawn raids were launched by the police, as 280 officers swooped on 14 addresses in in Heath Town, Park Village, Ettingshall and Willenhall on September 24 last year.
