West Midlands police officials have pledged to eradicate criminal activities exploiting mini marts across the region, including serious offenses such as child sexual abuse and exploitation.
At a recent West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner accountability meeting, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Wasim Ali questioned Acting Chief Constable Scott Green about ongoing efforts to tackle crime on local high streets. Ali highlighted that mini marts have been associated with the sale of illegal cigarettes, vapes, drugs, and alarming allegations of child exploitation in areas like Dudley.
In response, ACC Green detailed the expansion of Operation Fearless—a nationally recognized initiative launched in January 2025 targeting high street crime in communities such as Erdington and Handsworth. He emphasized that the operation’s goal is to transform high streets from intimidating places into safe, vibrant commercial hubs where residents can shop without fear.
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Operation Fearless employs a multi-agency enforcement strategy focusing on disrupting illicit trade. To date, the operation has seized millions of pounds worth of illegal vapes, counterfeit tobacco, and unprescribed medications. Green stressed a dual focus on exploitation and safeguarding by actively targeting and dismantling trafficking and grooming networks.
The operation is now scaling up, with plans to double specialist resources and integrate dedicated financial investigators and asset recovery teams. These enhancements aim to disrupt not only street-level crimes but also the larger criminal networks orchestrating these activities. Furthermore, proceeds of crime efforts are in place to strip criminals of illicit wealth, breaking their operational capacity and enabling reinvestment back into affected communities.
With combined local and Home Office support, West Midlands Police are determined to restore safety and integrity to their high streets, fostering thriving environments free from criminal exploitation.