Crime up but so's detection

Statistics for the last year show rates of violent crime went up by 3,000, from 16,966 to 19,848 in the West Mercia Police Constabulary force area.

However, the inflated crime figures could be down to a new way of recording reported crimes, says West Mercia's acting Chief Superintendent Kevin Bentley.

The National Crime Recording Standard has resulted in more incidents than ever before being logged.

Despite the increase in violent crime and a rise of three per cent in crime overall, the figures also recognised a decrease in vehicle crime and criminal damage.

West Mercia has also achieved major success in its drive to target criminals across the force area.

The 2002/3 figures show:

* A significant increase in detection rates.

* The level of crime per 1,000 residents across the force area is well below the national average

* An overall three per cent increase in the number of crimes recorded within the West Mercia area - although this is believed to result from the ongoing impact of new national recording system, which means that more incidents are being logged as crimes.

The statistics indicate the constabulary has stepped up its detection rate from the 29 per cent of the previous year to 32 per cent and has one of the highest levels for any force in the country.

Acting Chief Supt Bentley continued: "This achievement is even greater when set against the fact that more crimes are now being recorded within the force under a new system introduced by West Mercia in 2001.

"However, despite these fluctuations, the overriding message in the national figures is that West Mercia is still a safe area of the country in which to live and work.

"The quality of life for communities is reflected in surveys published within statistics, which show that the level of concern about burglaries, crimes of violence and public disorder among the people in West Mercia is the lowest in the Midlands and well below the national average."