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Walsall police chief: We need public's help to tackle knife violence

A police chief has called on communities to help in the fight against knife and violent crime.

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Chief Superintendent Andy Parsons

West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent Andy Parsons has urged the community to help police tackle the issue.

It came after detectives revealed they had not received a single call from the public since two boys were shot and wounded in Handsworth.

Meanwhile shots were fired towards a house in Dudley last night prompting a police investigation.

Ch Supt Parsons, who is in charge of Walsall neighbourhood policing teams, says officers need the support of people living in towns and cities in the West Midlands.

He said: “This is never going to be a police alone issue, having 1,000 more officers is not a solution to changing young people’s minds, that is a community-lead change.

“I will always say that the police can do more, and I want my officers to do more, but that’s not because we aren’t doing enough, it’s because I’m really passionate about making the Black Country a safer place and the moment I say we can’t do anymore is the moment to replace me.

"My staff know they do a superb job but we need to constantly change with societal changes.”

It comes as the region is in the grip of a violent epidemic.

Recorded offences with blades are up six per cent in the last year to June 2018 in the West Midlands – with 4,327 stabbings and possession offences.