Crime on the up across West Midlands and Staffordshire
Crime across the West Midlands has increased again, with thousands more offences being committed.
There were a total of 244,527 crimes (excluding fraud) committed in the region in the year ending September 2018, an increase of 10 per cent on the previous year.
The figures, released by the Home Office, paint a bleak picture for West Midlands Police as every major crime in the region has increased year on year, with only bicycle theft, shoplifting and criminal damage going down.
The number of violent, sexual and weapons offences are up by more than 20 per cent.
The force says the figures show the desperate need for more government funding, but critics have called on the police to be more efficient and described the rise in crime as 'very concerning'.
The figures show violent crime in the West Midlands is up 26 per cent, sexual offences are up 20 per cent, robberies up 17 per cent and knife crime up 19 per cent.
Staffordshire, West Mercia and Warwickshire all managed to decrease the number of drug offences by at least 20 per cent, but in the West Midlands they rose by four per cent.
Crime overall across the country rose eight per cent, with violent crime up 19 per cent.
David Jamieson, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "These statistics show crime is continuing to rise in the West Midlands and the entirety of England and Wales. This further emphasises the need for more police resources which I have been consistently campaigning on.
"I continue to have concerns about the increase in violent crime which has risen significantly in the West Midlands. That is why I am investing £2 million to tackle the root causes of violent crime.
"The government needs to take note of these statistics and give forces like West Midlands Police the resources we need. These figures are testament to the need for more funding.”
Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes said: "My recollection is that the funding settlement for the police pre-Christmas was the biggest increase since 2010, so the government is certainly trying.
"The figures are very concerning and I think it's time the role of the police and crime commissioner is absorbed by the mayor, who I think will take a more strategic view."
In Staffordshire the number of violent, sexual and weapons offences all on the up, with overall crime increasing by two per cent.
