NEW crime statistics show the West Midlands is safer as reports have fallen.
The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the total crime reported across the region has been reduced by eight per cent with nearly 30,000 fewer victims in the last year.
Between October 2023 to September 2024, the data shows in the West Midlands Police are knife crime has fallen by six per cent, home burglaries are down 12 per cent, robbery down eight per cent and vehicle crime was down 11 per cent.
Further key areas that have seen reductions include serious youth violence which is down by 11 per cent along with domestic abuse down by 11 per cent with 13,000 fewer victims and theft from the person offences are down by 29 per cent.
The force say an abundance of funding and dedicated resources continue to be ploughed into reducing knife crime which remains a top priority.
For many years West Midlands Police has seen some of the highest knife crime offences per 1,000 population – that has now changed, as the force no longer occupy that unenviable position thanks to work with local partners and the support of the public.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “Our officers and staff continue to work tirelessly to make substantial reductions in crime, to arrest more offenders and to ensure they are held to account for their crimes whilst we continue to protect the vulnerable. The data reflects some very significant changes to the way we police on behalf of our communities on a daily basis.
“It is particularly pleasing that we have seen a considerable drop in knife crime over the last year.
“I met some pupils from Leo Ross’ school and thanked our officers for supporting staff and pupils after such a senseless crime. We are all very focussed upon preventing such tragedies but no statistics can ever mitigate the loss of such a young and promising life.
“The latest statistics serve to evidence the improvements people are seeing in their community. While recognising that any offence is one too many, people in the West Midlands are statistically now less likely to be a victim of crime.”
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster has welcomed the new statistics.
He said: “It is encouraging to see crime reducing across the West Midlands, with a near eight per cent drop and 30,000 fewer victims of crime in the last year.
“This is testament to the hard work of police officers, police staff and partners across the West Midlands. However, I am not remotely complacent, because there is more work to be done.
“I am committed to constant and unremitting action, to hold West Midlands Police to account and work with the Chief Constable and other partners, to prevent and tackle crime, promote community safety and keep people, families, businesses and local communities safe and secure.”
