Knife and gun crime on the rise across the West Midlands and Staffordshire

Gun offences are at their highest level for years in the West Midlands and Staffordshire, while knife crime has more than doubled in both counties in less than four years.

Latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics show the 681 gun crimes committed in the West Midlands in 2017/18 is the highest since 2010/11 where there were 912 cases.

The region's 2,850 knife crimes in the last financial year represents a 72 per cent rise in just four years. There are 98 knife offences per 100,000 people in West Midlands, higher than the national average of 69.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson says tackling violent crime remains a priority for him and his force.

He told the Express & Star: "Since 2010 West Midlands Police has faced cuts of £175 million in government funding and has lost more than 2,000 officers. That has had an impact on the forces ability to fight crime, but nevertheless we are doing all we can to prevent violent crime.

"Tackling violent crime is a priority for me and I am working to reverse the alarming rise in such incidents taking place across the country and in the West Midlands.

"I have introduced a range of initiatives to support young people and tackle the causes of crime, including: diversionary activities for those at risk of offending, mentoring projects, and mediators to defuse issues between gangs before they escalate into violence."

The 65 firearms cases in Staffordshire in 2017/18 is the highest number committed in the county for 10 years.

Knife crime has also risen sharply, with the 677 cases Staffordshire Police dealt with in 2017/18 a 65 per cent increase in four years.

There are 60 knife offences per 100,000 people in Staffordshire.

Policing and fire minister Nick Hurd said: "Tackling the impact of violent crime remains a government priority and it is crucial to stamp this out."

Across England and Wales, gun offences are at their highest level since 2010-11. The most common firearm used nationally was a handgun.

Peter Squires, a criminologist and member of non-profit group the Gun Control Network, believes gun crime is on the rise due to the increasing supply of illegal firearms coming in through Europe.

He said guns were getting into the UK "through fast parcel service, internet based orders and regular smuggling coming in through confinements of drugs".

“A particular concern has involved the rising use of antique firearms, being recycled for criminal use, and shotguns being stolen from farms and sawn down and used by criminals,” he added.