Black Mamba and Spice crimes are on the increase
The number of reported crimes involving the use of illegal so-called 'Spice' and 'Black Mamba' has increased from one to more than 300 in the last three years.
According to a new report, released by West Midlands Police, there was only one reported incident involving 'Spice' and 'Black Mamba' in 2014/15.
By 2015/16, this figure had jumped to 91 and by 2016/2017, it had risen to a staggering 306.
The report, released following an FOI request made by the Express & Star, states that the total number of recorded incidents involving the substance for the last three years is 398.
January 2016 saw a significant jump from just one instance in the previous quarter to 13. There were nine instances in February 2016, 11 in August 10 in November and 11 in December.
By 2016/2017 the figures had risen again month-on-month. January 2017 saw 26 incidents, with months February and March having the highest number of recorded instances - 50 and 55 from 9 and 6 instances in the same months in 2016.
Across the three years, the month of March had the highest number of recorded incidents involving 'Spice' and 'Black Mamba', with a total of 62 recorded. June had the least number of recorded 'Spice' or 'Black Mamba' incidents, with only eight across three years.
The news comes as in March this year, a new ban came into force preventing the sale of 'spice' and Black Mamba', otherwise known as legal highs.
The introduction of the Psychoactive Substances Act forbids the 'production, supply and importation or exportation for human consumption of the drugs' and could see offenders jailed for up to seven years.
In a statement released with the findings, West Midlands Police said: "Please note that these data should be interpreted with caution. Comparing numbers of incidents or crimes can be misleading and does not necessarily indicate the likelihood of someone being a victim of crime.
"In addition, the number of incidents/crimes recorded in an area over a period of time can be influenced by a number of factors. Consequently statistics on incidents/crimes for one period may not necessarily be a good indicator of future incidents in that area.
"Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from a number of data sources used by forces for police purposes."
