Latest news with #JennySkyrme
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Arrests and knife seizures in police day of action
Police have raided a Wolverhampton business suspected of being a brothel, as part of an operation targeting anti-social behaviour, exploitation and gang activity. A number of people at the premises were safeguarded, West Midlands Police said, as officers also seized 500 knives from a shop in Whitmore Reans which were not kept securely. Nineteen people were arrested in the one-day operation for offences ranging from drug supply and burglary to threats to kill. Ch Supt Jenny Skyrme said: "We want to protect the people of Wolverhampton from harm and deal with those people who are committing crime, and those efforts are on-going each and every day." Officers joined up with Trading Standards, the force's off-road bike team and drone unit, as well as its serious organised crime and exploitation team to conduct patrols, visit premises and carry out enforcement and education activities. Off-road bike officers patrolled hot spots in Bilston and police officers visited city centre pubs and nightspots during the evening, carrying out checks and making sure people were getting home safely. Weapon sweeps were also carried out and Class A drugs were recovered, leading to men being arrested on suspicion of intent to supply following a warrant in Whitmore Reans and a car being stopped in Dudley Road, the force said. Ch Supt Skyrme said Operation Advance was "a day of arrests, seizures and high-profile activities and these positive results were also backed up with many opportunities to connect with the residents and people across the city. "We know that having those conversations with the people we serve is vital as it helps us understand the issues that are concerning them most," she added. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. City-wide operation to fight gang violence West Midlands Police
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
New commander hails 'fantastic' crime reduction
Wolverhampton has made "fantastic" progress in reducing crime over the last year, the city's new commander has said. Ch Supt Jenny Skyrme has replaced Rich Fisher as Wolverhampton's leading officer following the latter's retirement, West Midlands Police announced. She has served with the force for almost 24 years and was last based in the city in 2010, when she was an inspector overseeing its response teams. "Wolverhampton has seen fantastic steps forward in reducing crime over the past year and the teams can be proud of the improvements made in the service we offer local people," she said. According to recent data from West Midlands Police, criminal offences dropped by 18,000, almost 6%, across the whole force area, in the year to March 2025. This included a decrease in homicides by nearly a third, a spokesperson said. Figures on also show the monthly number of crimes reported in Wolverhampton city centre dropped from 281 in March 2024 to 180 in February 2025. Ch Supt Skyrme added: "The trick now is to carry this on with further reductions in crime, as we strive to make the city safer." The commander's father was also an inspector based in Wolverhampton and was her inspiration to join the force. She has previously worked in frontline policing, intelligence and investigations, including a stint with the public protection unit. "I look forward to the challenge and I am incredibly proud to be a commander for Wolverhampton, as someone who grew up in the Black Country," she said. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. West Midlands to get 150 extra police officers Increase in police officer sackings - report Chief constable's reappointment approved West Midlands Police
