County sees drop in violent crime

West Mercia Police said there were 706 violent attacks resulting in injury between April and September this year in North Worcestershire; down from 828 on the previous six months - a fall of 14.7 per cent.

In south Worcestershire the figures are equally encouraging with 700 violent offences in the same period, down from 818, a 14.4 per cent drop.

The Force says it is reaping the benefits of increasing action to stop trouble, particularly in town and city centres.

It says the number of violent crimes being solved is up by more than nine per cent.

“Reducing violent incidents, especially those causing injury, will continue to be a priority for the police and our partners,” said Detective Chief Inspector Jason Wells, the officer in charge of tackling violent crime.

“These crimes cause immeasurable distress to victims and impact heavily on the well-being of our local communities.”

He said a number of new initiatives have been introduced to counter violent crime, including a focus on alcohol-related offences.

“Nearly 50 per cent of violent incidents are alcohol-related and officers across our two forces have been working hard to reduce offences which impact on the night-time economy and on people wishing to enjoy a night out.

“Warwickshire and West Mercia are generally safe and nice areas in which to live and work. Extreme acts of violence are few and far between and it’s pleasing the total number of incidents resulting in injury is continuing to fall.”

Worcestershire’s figures are better that many other areas covered by West Mercia.

Herefordshire has seen a 2.7 per cent drop and south Warwickshire a 3.2 per cent drop, while Telford & Wrekin has stayed the same and north Warwickshire has risen by 4.4 per cent.

The only better performing area is Shropshire which has seen a 29.7 cent drop with 543 violent offences recorded, down from 772.

The Force area as a whole has seen a 13.9 per cent drop in violent crime, from 3,469 to 2,986.