Data shows crime dropping across West Midlands
West Midlands Police answer approximately 70,000 emergency 999 calls a month, the highest volume per head of population in the UK
Last updated 24th Oct 2024
National statistics reveal safety in the West Midlands continues to improve, with crime reducing, arrests increasing and victims receiving better and faster police support
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows significant reductions in crimes which cause the most harm to communities. Key areas that have seen reductions include Robbery, Burglary, Vehicle Crime, Theft from the Person, and Violent Crime including Domestic Abuse.
Total crime reported across the West Midlands has been reduced by 10% (323,197 offences) compared to the same period last year. There’s also been considerable decreases in serious youth violence of nine per cent (7,144 offences) including a reduction in knife crime.
Domestic abuse reports have fallen by more than 14% (54,863 offences). The number of homicide offences has dropped by seven per cent (38 offences) while robbery is down more than five per cent (8,122 offences).
There has been a reduction of more than 13 per cent in vehicle crimes reported (28,452 offences) and an almost 12 per cent drop in burglaries (12,189 offences), while theft from the person has seen a huge 28% decrease (3,236 offences).
Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “Making communities safer is at the heart of what West Midlands Police are here to do.
“As recently recognised by HMICFRS, we are pleased to see that our hard work is paying off on behalf of the public. There are now considerably fewer victims of crime across the West Midlands.
“We hope that the majority of people never have cause to be in contact with the police, but if they do need us, we answer their calls in record time and, where needed, respond and deploy officers quickly.
“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.
“Our officers and staff continue to work tirelessly to make substantial and sustained improvements in many important areas. Central to everything we do, is the public, keeping people safe and bringing offenders to justice. I know that we are committed to focusing every effort on preventing crime, working with our partners and communities to problem-solve and tackle the issues that matter most to people.”
The latest release of national crime figures follows on from West Midlands Police being recognised as the fastest improving force in the country, after it was removed from special measures in July this year, by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) for the improvements it had made in record time.
The force is said to have seen immense improvements around performance and the overall service it provides to people since the implementation of a new local operating model 18 months ago. This includes doubling the arrest rate, opening more custody suites, improving our investigative outcomes and sending 25% more work through to the CPS.
They have also made significant changes to how people contact police, which in turn has led to them being one of the best forces in the country when it comes to both our 999 and 101 service.
Our average call answering time is now just 4 seconds.
On average the force now answers non-emergency 101 calls in 40 secs. Last year it took 29 minutes.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: “I have been holding West Midlands Police to account and working with the Force to prevent and tackle crime and keep the people and communities of the West Midlands safe and secure.
“I therefore welcome the reductions in crime. However, we cannot be complacent and we never will be. One victim of crime is one too many.
“I am committed to constant and unremitting action to hold West Midlands Police to account, to ensure it is doing everything within its power to prevent and tackle crime and keep people, families, businesses and local communities safe and secure.”