Nine arrested as police raid homes in drugs inquiry linked to Soho Road

Nine people have been arrested after early morning raids on homes in Birmingham and Walsall by police investigating the supply of drugs on and around Soho Road in Handsworth.

About 70 officers took part in the operation on Tuesday, searching properties in Handsworth, Selly Oak, Birmingham city centre and Walsall. Heroin and cannabis were recovered. Officers from the force's operational support unit used specialist cutting equipment to get into some of the homes.

The nine suspects, aged between 21 and 60, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and remained in custody for questioning.

Six months of intelligence

The raids were carried out by Operation Fearless, a specialist team set up to tackle drug dealing, violence, antisocial behaviour and other problems affecting people who live and work around Soho Road and the Handsworth Triangle. It was supported by the force's major crime unit, its county lines taskforce and the National Crime Agency.

Detective Chief Inspector John Askew, who leads the operation, said: "This is a really significant series of raids today, targeting people we suspect are involved in the supply of Class A drugs on the Soho Road."

"We have been gathering information about the supply of drugs in the area over the last six months, and know all too well the misery, violence and other criminality that the drugs trade brings with it," he said. "We're working really closely with the community to listen to the concerns that they have and act."

A week of action on Soho Road

Police said the raids marked the start of a week of visible activity on Soho Road. Officers will work with the city council's trading standards team, the Soho Road Business Improvement District and other partners, and will also target illegal waste dumping, untaxed vehicles, street drinking and the illegal sex trade.

The aim, the force said, is to make Soho Road and the Handsworth Triangle safer for the people and businesses based there.

Rakesh Soni, manager of the business improvement district, said more still needed to be done to tackle drug dealing on one of the city's best-known shopping streets. "We need more foot patrols and that needs to be happening constantly to maintain that presence on the high street," he said.

Soho Road is home to hundreds of shops, restaurants, jewellers and places of worship, and traders have long called for a stronger police presence. The street draws shoppers from across the city, particularly in the run-up to festivals such as Diwali and the wedding season.

Anyone with information about drug dealing in their area can contact police on 101, or report it anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.