Teenager, 18, arrested on suspicion of knife possession in Bilston

West Midlands Police have announced the arrest of an 18-year-old boy in Bilston, Wolverhampton, following reports of people being seen with knives near the town centre. 

After attending the scene, officers stopped three young men on Walsall Street, where after carrying out a search, they discovered the 18-year-old in possession of a lock knife. 

The youth was placed into police custody for questioning on suspicion of possession of a knife or blade. 

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "Since the 16-year-old's death his family have campaigned tirelessly for tougher restrictions on the sale of knives. Yesterday, Ronan's mother Pooja met with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in Wolverhampton ahead of the new law being announced.

"The law also brings stronger sentences for selling knives to under 18s and, for the first time, retailers will be required to report suspicious and bulk purchases of knives on their platforms to police, alongside stronger age verification checks."

Anyone with information of concerns relating to someone carrying a knife can call West Midlands Police via their 101 number, or alternatively via the Live Chat service on their website. 

The arrest comes as 'Ronan's Law', a law that cracks down on the online sale of knives, was announced today (February 19). 'Ronan's Law' was named in honour of Ronan Kanda, a 16-year-old boy from Wolverhampton, who was tragically murdered in the city in 2022 in a case of mistaken identity.