West Midlands gang members jailed for more than 70 years

Jamie Wood, from Northfield who featured in grime videos made by South Birmingham gang the Frankley Killers, is the latest to be locked up after he received almost four years behind bars after Organised Crime & Gang Unit detectives recovered film he had recorded on a mobile phone of a man firing a shotgun at the home of a rival gang member. He did not pull the trigger but was still sent to prison after officers showed he orchestrated the attack.

Earlier this month teenage gunman Yusupha Sarr was locked up for 15 years after being involved in a gangland firefight on a Smethwick street. The former professional footballer - linked to the Birmingham street gang 23 Drillas - fired a sawn-off shotgun twice as a man armed with a revolver ran towards him, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Armed police were lying in wait nearby after being warned gang members would be attending an 18th birthday party held in the area and moved in to arrest Sarr from a taxi less than two hours after the gunfire in August last year.

In February, Jamael Scarlett and Courtney Farrell were jailed for 16 and nine years, respectively, for possessing firearms and ammunition after detectives uncovered a stream of messages associating them with firearms and organised crime. Fellow gang members Jamaal Ahmed and Reece Brevitt were also jailed, while a 16-year-old boy was sent to a young offenders institute for three years.

Chief Inspector Nick Dale urged communities to continue offering vital assistance to his officers and explained: "Many of these successes have been in part been thanks to information provided by members of the public who had suspicions about individuals, drug dealing or possession of weapons. They called us in confidence, we acted on what they told us and together we are helping to make communities safer.

"Many of these men were lured into gangs as teenagers. They are sold it as an attractive, lucrative way of life but many now see their lives wrecked by long prison sentences.

"We work with local authorities, support groups and charities to try and divert young people away from crime and gang affiliation but there are those who refuse to cooperate and refuse to stop committing crime. They face the very real danger of being killed or seriously hurt by rivals or spending many years behind bars."

Over 20 people have been arrested by the Organised Crime & Gang Unit so far this year for offences including drug supply, firearm possession and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

And 42 workable firearms have also been seized by West Midlands Police since the turn of the year − recoveries that have potentially saved lives and prevented serious injury.

Anyone who suspects someone is linked to gang crime, or has access to a firearm, is urged to call West Midlands Police in confidence on the 101 number or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Callers do not need to provide their name.