WEST Midlands Police have made over 40 arrests in one day during an operation to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) across the region.

43 arrests were made for crimes including rape, kidnap, sexual assault, coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking and harassment yesterday, November 28.

The force said the arrests made as part of the operation were on top of the usual arrests they would have made if operating “business as usual”.

The force took action across the West Midlands, focussing on getting outstanding offenders into custody and spending time speaking to the public and businesses about the ongoing issue of VAWG and how they can help keep people safe.

They also visited licensed premises to check that they were using the “Ask for Angela” initiative, which helps safeguard vulnerable people on nights out and spoke to staff about how to identify and act on predatory behaviour.

ACC Jen Mattison, West Midlands Police Lead for VAWG said: “We had some fantastic results including for historic offences which highlights the fact that we are 100% committed to catching suspects of crime, however long it takes.

“While it’s great to have a day where we can focus our resources on one specific area, I want to be clear that this is work that goes on day in, day out across the West Midlands.

“Keeping women and girls safe is a priority for WMP and we will continue to target offenders and work with our communities to help keep VAWG at the front of people’s minds, raising awareness and always looking at ways to reduce these crimes.”

Earlier this week marked White Ribbon Day, which falls on November 25 every year.

It is the international day calling for an end to VAWG and marks the start of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.