ALL RECORDED crime has risen across the West Midlands, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics.
The latest data available – from April 2022 to the end of March 2023 – shows a two per cent increase on the previous year.
West Midlands Police highlighted, however, between March 2021 to April 2022 there were some regional lockdowns which impacted on the figures.
Figures showing the three months from April this year illustrate 2,626 more arrests, compared to the same period last year – a 27 per cent rise.
Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green said the new local policing operating model was introduced in April, heralding a new approach for WMP, focusing resources on issues which matter most to communities with more officers dedicated to working in local communities to prevent and solve crime.
He added this had led to significant reductions in crime including in areas having the most negative impact on people’s lives, including burglary and vehicle crime.
Since April, there had been a a nine per cent reduction in burglary and a three per cent drop in vehicle crime.
May this year saw the highest number of offenders brought to justice since April 2020 (when the pandemic began) and the force has improved its call-answering time – 89 per cent of 999 calls are now answered within 10 seconds, up from 69 per cent in November.
West Midlands Police says it has introduced several different schemes which have had a positive effect on crimes most affecting communities and the newly-introduced vehicle crime task force had seen significant results.
Since April, the force has recovered more than 600 stolen vehicles, made 169 arrests for vehicle-related offences and identified over 20 ‘chop shops’ which deal in stolen cars and car parts.
Mr Green added: “Our Op Guardian dedicated patrols in key areas for serious youth violence have also contributed to a six per cent reduction in violence with injury.
“Knife crime and serious violence remains a top priority for the force.
“We understand the devastating impact these crimes have and we will continue to work to reduce offending and ultimately save lives.”
In April, the force signed up to be a national pilot which gives officers which gives officers additional powers for tackling knife crime, including the introduction of serious violence reduction orders.
The orders will help to tackle prolific, high-risk offenders by making it easier for officers to search them for weapons.
Mr Green said results were also being seen from the three-year recruitment drive with 3,000 officers joining the force via a number of entry routes.
“We now have over 8,000 officers which means we can get more officers out into our communities focusing on what matters to people most.
“We are already seeing a significantly improved service for the public with total recorded crime down by 6.7 per cent since April and a significant increase in the numbers of offenders we are bringing to justice.”
He vowed the force would continue to work hard to make communities safer.
