Four men have been arrested after police recovered a loaded revolver, ammunition and several machetes during an operation in east Birmingham.
West Midlands Police said officers were carrying out reassurance patrols in the Alum Rock area on Friday evening following information received from the local community.
Officers spotted a vehicle near Alum Rock Road before a group of people reportedly attempted to flee.
Police gave chase and four men were detained.
Loaded gun and machetes recovered
Additional officers and a police dog unit were deployed to search the surrounding area and a vehicle.
Police said they recovered a live and viable revolver along with ammunition, several machetes, a baseball bat and suspected cannabis.
A subsequent search of a linked address resulted in officers finding further ammunition, drugs and mobile phones.
The four men, aged between 24 and 30, were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and remained in police custody for questioning at the time of the update.
Extra stop and search powers introduced
A Section 60 order was put in place overnight, giving officers additional powers to stop and search people within the designated area without the usual requirement for reasonable grounds.
Detective Inspector Matt Baldwin, from Birmingham Police, said such powers were not used “lightly” and that the priority was protecting the public and preventing disorder.
He said proactive police work had resulted in “several dangerous weapons” being removed from the streets.
Additional officers remain in the area while enquiries continue and police speak with residents about their concerns.
Anyone with information about criminal activity in the area can contact West Midlands Police on 101 or via Live Chat.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
