Six teens arrested over gun fears after 'suspicious activity' in Smethwick

Police say they were alerted to 'suspicious activity' in Pine Avenue last night at around 11pm. The suspects were then stopped by officers in a car around four miles away on Aston Lane in nearby Aston at around 2.25am.

The six, who are aged between 17 and 19, remained in police custody this morning. Officers said the arrests were part of an on-going crackdown on gun crime in Birmingham.

Earlier this month, five men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after police were shot at during the crackdown.

Shots were fired at an unmarked police car in Birmingham, and a car believed to have been involved in the shooting was also recovered in West Bromwich.

Supt Mat Shaer who is leading on the gun crime crackdown, said today: “Our priority is to protect members of the community from people who carry weapons or commit crime.

“If you have any information call officers on 101."