Overall crime, including knife crime, falls in West Midlands according to new stats

Knife crime has fallen by 6% in the region

Author: Alice Smith Published 30th Jan 2025
Last updated 30th Jan 2025

Total crime reported across the West Midlands has reduced by 8% in the last year, according to new figures, with nearly 30,000 fewer victims.

It's compared to a 4% reduction in crime nationally.

The data from the Office for National Statistics covers October 2023 to September 2024.

It shows knife crime has fallen by 6%, home burglaries by 12%, robbery by 8%, and vehicle crime by 11%.

Further areas that have seen reductions include serious youth violence which is down by 11% along with domestic abuse down by 11% with 13,000 fewer victims. Theft from the person offences are down by 29%.

The stats show the West Midlands no longer has the highest rate of knife crime per 1,000 of the population.

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’s fantastic to see that our hard work is continuing to pay off and we are continuing to make our communities safer with the majority of crime falling. The statistics are clear, there are now considerably fewer victims of crime across the West Midlands.

"It is important to remember that these statistics are only up to last October, the last few months have brought even further reductions in crime.”

Speaking about the death of 12 year-old Leo Ross who died after being stabbed in Hall Green on 21 January, Mr. Guildford said:

“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 yesterday 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.”

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