Crime is changing not falling – PCC comments on new crime statistics

Crime statistics released today show that crime is changing not falling.

Nationally, there has been an eight per cent increase in recorded crime and a six per cent rise in the West Midlands. Nearby forces have also seen increases in recorded crime – 13 per cent in Staffordshire, 11 per cent in Warwickshire and 13 per cent in West Mercia.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “These statistics confirm what I have consistently said for some time that crime is changing and not falling.

“We are seeing crimes such as sexual offences and fraud rise in prevalence and they require much more intensive police work and investigation than ‘traditional’ crimes.

“The Government needs to recognise that the police are dealing with increasingly complex crimes that require intensive investigative work and support police forces properly. Despite what the Government promised last year, police forces are still facing real-terms cuts in funding. West Midlands Police received £2.5million less this year than it did the year before.

“Crime is changing not falling and police forces need to be supported properly so that they can tackle new threats. I am modernising West Midlands Police and by taking difficult decisions I have been able to start the recruitment 800 officers, 200 specialist staff and 150 PCSOs, to help fight crime and keep our communities safe.”