Violent crimes rise by more than 11pc

Serious violent crime has risen by more than 11 per cent in the West Midlands, the latest police figures revealed today.

The force is also missing its target for solving this category, that covers a wide range of crimes including murder, manslaughter, wounding and death by dangerous driving.

Attacks rose from 3,107 in 2007/8 to 3,459 in 2008/9 – an increase of 352. Robberies have also increased by two per cent, from 7,659 to 7,814, which works at 155 more victims suffering throughout the year.

The figures show that only 14 per cent of the 16,810 burglaries on homes in the region last year were solved, while just nine per cent of the 31,138 vehicle crimes including break-ins and thefts were cleared up.

In terms of serious crime, police "detected" 1,448 of the offences – equivalent to around 42 per cent – compared with a target of 45 per cent. The force was also short of its target for serious sexual offences such as rape.

But total crime in the region, which includes the four Black Country boroughs, Birmingham and Coventry, dropped from 247,924 to 227,743, a fall of 8.1 per cent.

House burglary in the West Midlands is at its lowest for 29 years while car crime has seen a year-on-year reduction of almost nine per cent. A six per cent reduction in business crime was achieved, equating to 3,000 fewer victims.

The figures are revealed in a report by Assistant Chief Constable Phil Gormley, which is due before police authority members tomorrow.

His report reveals that burglary vehicle crime have fallen by 6.8 per cent and 8.7 per cent respectively.

Mr Gormley said: "Overall crime is down by more than eight per cent to the lowest for 19 years.

"There has already been much commentary on this particular crime category, most serious violence, and it was always one that was going to be difficult to show reductions in.

"Overall, violent crime was down by 8.3 per cent and total violence against people down by nearly 10 per cent."

The report also shows a fall of more than 16 per cent in fatal or serious road traffic collisions.

Figures for public perception show 80 per cent of the region are confident in the force's handling of crime while 96 per cent feel safe.