Knife crime surges in West Midlands prior to coronavirus pandemic

The West Midlands had the highest increase in knife crime in the country before the coronavirus pandemic took hold, according to official new figures.

The scene of a double stabbing in Rosebery Road, Smethwick, last October. Image: @SnapperSK

According to police data, in the year to December 2019 the total number of offences involving knives or sharp instruments in the region shot up by 13 per cent, almost double the national figure of seven per cent.

The Office for National Statistics says that in the West Midlands Police area there were 3,624 knife crimes recorded, while across the country there were 45,627 crimes involving blades last year – 49 per cent higher than when comparable recording began in 2011 and the highest on record.

Overall crime in the WMP area increased by three per cent in 2019. Crime fell by 10 per cent in Staffordshire – the biggest drop in the country – while nationally it rose by four per cent.

A double stab attack in Dartmouth Road on the West Bromwich and Smethwick border last September. Image: @SnapperSK

The WMP area saw violent crime and drug offences both surge by nearly a quarter (24 per cent), robbery rise by eight per cent and weapons possession offences go up by a third.

The force said that many types of crime have fallen dramatically this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Figures issued earlier this week show that in the year to date knife crime is down by half, violent crime is 70 per cent down and residential burglaries have reduced by more than a third.

David Jamieson, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said he expected crime rates to rise again once the coronavirus lockdown is lifted.

Police at the scene of a stab attack at McDonald's in Wisemore, Walsall, last September

"In these difficult times with the coronavirus outbreak continuing to present challenges to policing and society as a whole, we need to ensure that our communities stay safe and follow the Covid-19 guidance.

"Our police are continuing to tackle crime, but these statistics also need to be a wakeup call."

He said the force's "intensive" strategy had helped to reduce vehicle crime, but said he had serious concerns about violent crime.

A man was attacked outside the Flower Pot pub, Spon Lane, West Bromwich, last year. Image: @SnapperSK

The force's Violence Reduction Unit will allow WMP to "scale up" its response to violence, the PCC said.

He also said efficiencies such as cutting down on bureaucracy and giving officers access to better technology had increased levels of community policing.

The ONS figures show that in the WMP area murders fell by 18 per cent in 2019, while theft went down by 14 per cent and burglary dropped by 16 per cent.