Armed police raid city address

Jun 14 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

ARMED police swooped on a house in Birmingham today in a dawn raid on suspected armed crooks.

Officers carrying bullet-proof shields stormed the house in Crantock Road, Perry Barr, at about 7am to execute a warrant under the Firearms Act.

Two people were led from the premises in the quiet residential street and taken into custody as officers carried out a search.

West Midlands Police said today's swoop was part of a pre-planned operation following intelligence surrounding illegal firearms.

Supt Gez Moore, from Thornhill Road police, stressed that the operation was not linked to a spate of shootings in the Lozells and Handsworth areas last month which left two people injured - nor to terrorism.

"We had intelligence around someone having access to firearms so officers executed a firearms warrant at an address in Perry Barr today," said Supt Moore.

"Two people were taken away as a result of the execution of the warrant and they are currently in custody. Officers are now searching the premises."