Former Blues player joined West Midlands Police to battle knife violence in Birmingham

A Birmingham City player has partnered up with the West Midlands Police to combat knife crime.

Police discovered a knife and a hammer while conducting a weapons sweep across a Birmingham suburb with a former Blues player.

Dele Adebola joined officers and community leaders in a mission to combat knife crime in Bromford on Thursday (May 17). The ex-professional footballer had a terrible reputation as a player before joining Birmingham City FC in 1998, when Trevor Francis paid £1 million for him.

Working with officers from the West Midlands Police Hodge Hill neighborhood team and community organizations, Adebola assisted with firearms sweeps in open areas and parks. A representative for WMP stated, “A weapons sweep in open spaces and parks can reduce the opportunity for offending.”

“We want individuals tempted to carry firearms to understand that it is unacceptable and will be vigorously dealt with. We found a knife and a hammer during the weapons sweep.

“We also gathered local intelligence from residents, and provided community reassurance, building that trust and confidence, which is further strengthened by partnership working.”

If you know someone who is carrying a knife or is involved in knife crime, please contact West Midlands Police at 101 or report it online at West Midlands Police Knife Crime.

To read more about knife crime and WMP’s attempts to combat it, see Life Or Knife.