Shoplifting is among the offences for which West Midlands Police has seen the biggest spike, according to latest figures that highlight a record number of cases nationally.
In the 12 months up to June, a total of 26,145 shoplifting offences were recorded by the force compared to 19,184 in the previous 12-month period; a rise of more than a third, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed.
The rate is higher than the 29% rise in recorded shoplifting across England and Wales during the same time frame, with the offending the highest nationally since 2003 when modern recording practices began.
In other categories, the number of recorded sexual offences has risen by 9% in the West Midlands, with the force highlighting a 10% spike in recorded cases of rape – which it said was down to improvements in victims being able to share their experience.
“There is still more work to do, but we are on the right trajectory,” Chief Constable Craig Guildford said.
Overall, the total crime reported across the force’s region, excluding fraud, had reduced by 9% in the 12 months up to June compared to the previous 12-month period.
“Lots of hard work has gone into that and it’s important that we recognise that,” Mr Guildford said.
West Midlands Police covers multiple areas across the region including Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Walsall, Solihull and Dudley.
It was removed from special measures in July.
Amid the national and local picture for shoplifting, Mr Guildford said his force continued to both arrest shoplifters and return products to store owners.
He assured the “public and shopkeepers” that arrest rates at West Midlands Police for the offence had “dramatically increased” by “nearly double”.
Death or serious injury by unlawful driving was the offence with the sharpest increase for the West Midlands force, rising by 48% from 61 to 91 cases.
Homicide has dropped by seven per cent while robbery is down more than five per cent. Domestic abuse reports have fallen by more than 14 per cent.