West Midlands crime on the rise warn police
THE number of crimes recorded by West Midlands Police has risen – but the increase is lower than the national average the force has said.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show a 6% rise in the 12 months up to June this year – compared to 8% across England and Wales.
Reports of non-domestic burglaries have fallen by 8% and drug offences by 2%.
Although violent crime has gone up by 19% and possession of a weapon by 17% these were said to be in line with the national picture.
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Domestic burglary has seen a 10% rise and there has been a 19% increase in sexual offences which the police said suggested more victims were having the confidence their complaint would be taken seriously and dealt with sensitively.
West Midlands Police Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said: “Like almost every force we have seen a rise in reported crime but this is lower than many others across the country.
“It is reassuring more victims of sexual offences are willing to speak up – rather than suffer in silence – and help us secure justice for them.
“Police forces now face different challenges because crime is changing. More complex crime, requiring specialist support to victims, like domestic abuse, online crime and sexual offences necessarily take longer to investigate thoroughly but we still tackle offences like burglary that can have a lasting personal impact.”
Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson added: “These statistics confirm what I have consistently said for some time that crime is changing and not falling.
“We are seeing crimes such as sexual offences and fraud rise in prevalence and they require much more intensive police work and investigation than ’traditional’ crimes.
“Crime is changing not falling and police forces need to be supported properly so that they can tackle new threats. I am modernising West Midlands Police and have announced plans to recruit 800 officers, 200 specialist staff and 150 PCSOs, to help fight crime and keep our communities safe.”
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