Dear Resident, 

Watch the incredible moment our officers tackled an e-bike rider as he raced away from them – before finding a loaded gun in his backpack.

Neighbourhood officers had spotted the masked rider acting suspiciously on the Soho Road and approached him.

Follow this link to watch the film of the arrest: https://youtu.be/UOiS5426iCc 

He rode away, but officers from our Guardian taskforce – which is dedicated to tackling serious youth violence – were alerted and PC Matthew More tackled the rider, who fell to the ground and was detained.

New video released today shows the moment PC More found the gun, loaded with three rounds of ammunition, in his backpack.

Antonio Balu, aged 25, was arrested and went on to plead guilty to possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition after his arrest, which happened on August 13.

Balu, of Bryant Street, Birmingham was jailed for five years at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

The conviction is part of Operation Target, our ongoing mission to target serious and organised crime across the West Midlands.

We’ve got officers working 24/7 to disrupt and arrest those involved in guns, drugs, money laundering and exploitation.

Find out more about our work, and how you can help tap her 👉 Operation Target | West Midlands Police