'Handguns, shotguns and air weapons' Firearms seized in Dudley thanks to Operation Target

Releasing a statement today, it said officers in Dudley had recovered a cache of firearms during a pair of warrants in the town.

They took place in Quarry Bank and, and cops uncovered a number of firearms including handguns, shotguns and air weapons this morning, July 26.

Officers from the Dudley Priorities team, as well as the force's Major Crime Team, carried out the warrants and also found ammunition during their searches.

Enquiries are now ongoing to examine the weapons fully and a man in his 40s is in custody while our investigation continues.

It went on to say that it is 'continuing to take action against serious and organised crime' including the use of firearms, as part of 'Operation Target'.

The operation is an intensive campaign against this type of offending, taking weapons off the streets and protecting the public from the people who would carry them.

And its not just taking place in Dudley, but the wider West Midlands region with for WMP working alongside other forces and their Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) to prevent organised crime and bring offenders to justice.

It also works closely with their partners, and in line with the Home Office and National Crime Agency (NCA), with an aim to reduce the risks and threats from organised crime.

It finished with an appeal to the public, stating that 'nobody' knows their neighbourhoods, towns and cities better than its residents, and while they do 'everything' in their power to protect the region from serious and organised crime, they also need support from the public.

On its site, it said: "Officers in Dudley have recovered a cache of firearms during a pair of warrants in the town.

"They took place in Quarry Bank and uncovered a number of firearms including handguns, shotguns and air weapons this morning.

"Officers from the Dudley Priorities team, as well as the force's Major Crime Team, carried out the warrants and also found ammunition during their searches.

"Enquiries are now ongoing to examine the weapons fully and a man in his 40s is in custody while our investigation continues.

"We are continuing to take action against serious and organised crime, including the use of firearms, as part of Operation Target.

"Op Target is our intensive campaign against this type of offending, taking weapons off the streets and protecting the public from the people who would carry them.

"The operation spans the wider West Midlands region, with WMP working alongside other forces and our Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) to prevent organised crime and bring offenders to justice.

"We work closely with our partners, and in line with the Home Office and National Crime Agency (NCA), our aim is to reduce the risks and threats from organised crime.

"While we are do everything in our power to protect the West Midlands from serious and organised crime we also need support from the public.

"Nobody knows their neighbourhoods, towns and cities better than you.

"Tell us what you know via 101 or Live Chat, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."