Rise in serious violent crime in West Midlands
LEVELS of the most serious violent crime in parts of the West Midlands have rocketed by as much as 53 per cent prompting a renewed police crackdown.
Solihull, Bloxwich and part of Wolverhampton had the biggest increases in the “most serious violence” category, which includes murder, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm and fatal motoring incidents.
But the Handsworth, Stechford Harborne and city centre areas of Birmingham saw a welcome drop in figures for those offences.
Overall, across the region offences of most serious violence rose by more than 11 per cent.
But total crime has fallen by a further eight per cent to its lowest level for 19 years, and the past 12 months saw 20,000 fewer victims of crime.
House burglary is now at its lowest level for almost 30 years, robbery and vehicle crime is also down and, encouragingly, detection rates for all crime has hit a high of almost 30 per cent.
Today, West Midland Police outgoing Chief Constable Sir Paul Scott-Lee said part of the rise in serious violent crime figures could be due to changes in Home Office counting rules.
But he admitted the increase “remains a matter of public disquiet.”
He said: “The force is therefore taking positive action, and a number of ongoing initiatives are succeeding in tackling the most serious violent offenders,” said Sir Paul.
Among those was a continuing anti-gang and gun crackdown and an initiative to target knife crime.
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