OVERALL crime has continued to fall in West Mercia, bucking the national trend, according to figures published by the Office of National Statistics.
The figures show an overall one per cent decline in overall reported crime, as well as decreases in areas such as violence with injury, sexual offences, theft, burglary, vehicle offences, bicycle theft, criminal damage, drug offences and public order.
Whilst there have been slight increases in areas such as violence against the person, robbery, possession of weapons and computer misuse, these increases are at a lower rate than the national level.
West Mercia has also seen an increase in knife offences, however these continue to be low compared to the rest of the country.
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “This is reassuring news for our communities who want to be safe and feel safe. I will continue to ensure West Mercia Police are well resourced to tackle emerging crime types.
“Whilst we must not be complacent about the figures, I am pleased that they reflect that the overall approach is working.”
He added that work would continue within the force to address shoplifting and theft where increases have been seen.
It was a similar story in neighbouring Warwickshire which saw significant decreases in burglary, theft, drugs and sexual offences.
The total number of crimes reported in the county for the year ending December 2018 was 41,304, down by one per cent from the previous year.
By contrast, police forces across England and Wales saw an average increase of seven per cent.
Warwickshire saw sexual offences and drugs offences both down by 14 per cent, shoplifting down by eight per cent and burglary down by seven per cent.
However as is the case nationally, violent crime offences were up, with reports of violence against the person increasing by seven per cent year-on-year, and non-injury violent crimes up five per cent.
