A MAN has been arrested by police in Brierley Hill after being caught in possession of a knife.

Armed officers from West Midlands Police were responding to reports of a man being seen with a knife in High Street at about 12.30pm yesterday (Thursday, July 19).

A suspect was traced to an alleyway off High Street where a response officer detained a 20-year-old. A knife was also recovered discarded under a stairwell.

The arrest in Brierley Hill was one of five incidents which saw people detained by officers and weapons recovered across the West Midlands yesterday.

Chief Inspector Andy Keast, incident manager, said: “Another busy day in the life of West Midlands Police. We had approaching 2,300 emergency calls yesterday − and thanks to some great work by officers we’ve managed to make some good arrests and seizures.

“In recent weeks we’ve recorded record numbers of 999 calls for help. The pressure on our response crews and firearms units − who patrol the force area 24-seven to protect the public − has been significant but as these arrests show there will be no let-up from us in our pursuit of those who pose a risk to our communities.”