Arrests made as rival Caldmore groups clash after shooting
Men with weapons were arrested after 'shops were forced to close' in a Walsall street amid escalating violence.
Police were called to Caldmore yesterday evening after trouble flared between rival groups.
Officers believe the latest disorder is linked to a shooting in the same area on December 20.
Several 999 call were made at around 5.45pm yesterday reporting trouble in Caldmore Green.
A car and takeaway restaurant were damaged but no injuries were reported to police.
Officers stopped a car nearby and arrested two men, aged 19 and 22, on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons.
The arrests came after baseball bats and crowbars were recovered from the vehicle.
People living in the area wrote on social media, and told the Express & Star, that shops in the area were told to close at 4pm to ease tensions.
West Midlands Police said officers had launched a dedicated operation to disrupt the trouble between two groups in the area.
Three people suffered minor injuries from broken glass after shots were fired into a takeaway on December 20
Neighbourhood Police Inspector Tony Eustace said a fallout between two groups sparked the incidents.
He said: “It’s understood the trouble has been sparked by a fall-out between two groups.
"Violence on our streets won’t be tolerated.
"A dedicated operation has been launched into this series of incidents and we will be seeking anyone connected to yesterday’s disorder or wider violent crime."
Inspector Eustace said tackling crime in Caldmore was a "high priority" and daily patrols would be carried out.
"We have patrols there on a daily basis, while response and armed police have also been tasked with providing passing attention to the location," he said.
"We also run regular days of action with partners including housing, trading standards and environmental health.
“We will be attending a residents meeting later this month to hear people’s concerns and to provide an update on our policing response.”
