NHS staff and key workers targeted for ID cards and uniforms in new crime spree
Key workers are being targeted for their ID passes as police warned that "new trends" in crime had emerged during the lockdown.
In one incident someone tried to snatch an NHS worker's uniform to try and get further along a supermarket queue.
Pharmacists, bus drivers and delivery drivers have suffered abuse – including being spat at – while police have received a number of reports of ID badges being snatched.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson said the force has prioritised crimes against key workers.
He said: "These types of crimes are at the top of our agenda."
Crime across the West Midlands has continued to fall in recent weeks, with new figures out today showing huge drops in many categories.
In the year to date violence with injury has fallen by nearly 70 per cent, residential and commercial burglaries are down 36 per cent and 27 per cent respectively, and there has been a 60 per cent drop in robberies.
But the region's Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has said that a number of disturbing new trends have emerged.
As well as attacks on key workers, he said he was particularly worried about domestic violence – which has risen by 10 per cent – and also warned that crooks were targeting small retailers such as corner shops.
West Midlands Police has also warned that child abuse cases are likely to increase in volume and severity during the lockdown.
Mr Jamieson said: "Crime is down significantly, but that does not mean it has disappeared. Crime always find a way to mutate and challenge us.
"During this pandemic that is no different. I am particularly worried about domestic abuse, that I why I have funded a large campaign targeting advertising at the region’s supermarkets to ensure people get the support they need.
"Whilst crime overall is down, new trends are emerging, I am worried about key workers being targeted for ID passes or other items.
Risk
"This will not be tolerated and anyone caught will be dealt with robustly.
"Thefts from shops is down significantly, with many retailers closed and queueing place outside larger retailers.
"I am concerned about criminals moving towards smaller retailers, such as corner shops and smaller supermarkets. This will be a particular focus of West Midlands Police’s work during the lockdown. Retailers and key workers will be protected."
In the two-week period to April 7, WMP arrested 400 domestic abuse suspects, with a team of officers dedicated to tracking down people wanted for domestic assaults, harassment and coercive control offences.
A report to the PCC's strategic board said: "The Covid-19 pandemic control measures introduced by the government present a particular risk within domestic abuse criminality.
"Members of the public, apart from key workers, have been directed to stay at home to protect the NHS and to save lives.
"Whilst this needs to be in place, it reduces opportunities for victims of domestic abuse to report offences due to the presence of the abuser within the household. It also has the potential to increase the risk of tensions and abusive behaviours within the home."
Shop thefts are down by almost a half, with offences having moved out of city and town centre hotspots to supermarkets that remain open and corner shops in residential areas.
Knife crime has fallen by 50 per cent, while vehicle crime has dropped by 38.5 per cent and hate crime is 40 per cent lower.
