THE WEST Midlands mayor has appealed to the region’s police chief to forget politics and join forces to combat knife crime.
The area and the nation has been plagued by violent crime over the last few months.
The terrifying prevalence of knife and gun attacks across the nation and the West Midlands has prompted ministers to consider announcing a ‘state of emergency’.
Conservative mayor Andy Street has reached out to his old foe, the Labour West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, to form a united front against the threat.
The appeal comes after a shooting and a knife attack in Coventry in the last week and other incidents across the region.
Mr Street said: “In the last few days and weeks we have all been horrified by the tragic murders of young people on our streets.
“It is an awful situation and I send my sympathy to the families and friends of everyone affected.
“This situation is totally unacceptable and unprecedented in its seriousness. It must be tackled.
“I firmly believe an issue of this importance transcends the political divide and that everyone will want to play their part in working to protect our residents and young people in particular.
“That is why I have made an open offer to the Police and Crime Commissioner to work with him and others with the stated aim of stepping up our efforts to tackle knife crime in the West Midlands.
“I hope our whole region will unite together to tackle this appalling and unacceptable situation.”
Mr Jamieson said on Twitter: “Andy Street contacted me last night to discuss knife crime.
“I’ve asked the mayor to step-up efforts on opportunities for young people, employment and mentoring.”
Earlier in the week, he said: “Over the past two weeks we have seen the tragic loss of young lives on the streets of Birmingham.
“The chief constable is rightly taking action to get on top of the situation, including further Section 60 stop and searches and an uplift in the police presence in areas blighted by violence.
“We need the support of local communities to stop this violence.
“It is not a job the police can do alone and they can’t simply arrest their way out of this problem.”
