CRIME figures, including knife and gun crime have declined across the West Midlands.
According to the latest national statistics total crime reported across the West Midlands has been reduced with nearly 6,000 fewer victims between April 2025 and March 2026 compared with the previous year.
The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed serious youth violence involving knife crime has fallen by nine per cent, home burglaries are down eight and a half per cent and vehicle crime is down almost four per cent.
The number of guns discharged last year has reduced by 37 per cent over the last year with 40 fewer offences and from July 2025 to the end of June 2026, 158 firearms were recovered by the force.
The national statistics also show the West Midlands is safer as crime reduces thanks to faster responses by police, more arrests, better victim care and good investigations.
Temporary deputy Chief Constable Jen Mattinson said: “We have seen a prolonged shift in the crime statistics over the last few years with continued crime reductions in the West Midlands.
“The hard work has been maintained by our officers and staff and we are committed to doing what the public expect us to do and what we are rightly held accountable for – arresting people, solving crimes and helping people feel safer.
“Over the last 12 months, we’ve arrested over 60,000 people and the number of positive outcomes – this includes where people have been charged or cautioned for an offence – have risen to 16 per cent.
“As well as crime reducing, we continue to deliver a first-class service answering 999 emergency calls within an average of two seconds and 101 non-emergency calls in 34 seconds.
“Between July 2025 and June 2026, we took 749,484 999 calls, with an average time to answer of just two seconds, and sometimes as low as one second. That’s down from 57 seconds in summer of 2022.
“We took 1,018,185 calls to 101 in the same period, with an average time to answer of just 34 seconds.”
Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), has welcomed the figures.
He added: “These continued reductions in crime are welcome news for people, families, businesses and communities across the West Midlands. Fewer victims of crime, significant reductions in knife crime, gun crime and burglary, and continued improvements in police performance demonstrate the progress that is being made to keep people safe and secure.
“I pay tribute to the commitment, dedication and hard work of West Midlands Police officers, staff and partners, that is ensuring we deliver safer streets and stronger communities. While I welcome these positive results, I am not in the least complacent. We know there is much more to do. Every victim matters, and any crime is one too many.
“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I remain committed to holding West Midlands Police to account to deliver continuous improvement, ensuring West Midlands Police has the resources it needs to continue preventing and tackling crime, promoting community safety, protecting vulnerable people, supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice. Together, we will continue working to build a just, safe and secure West Midlands for everyone.”
