West Midlands youth violence and burglary fall in latest crime figures
New Office for National Statistics data reveals significant drops in serious youth violence and home burglaries across the West Midlands between July 2025 and June 2026, despite a rise in overall police call volumes.
Serious youth violence, burglary, robbery and vehicle crime have all fallen across the West Midlands, even as the overall number of recorded offences increased slightly during a period of higher demand on police.
Office for National Statistics data covering July 2025 to June 2026 shows serious youth violence involving knife crime fell by more than 11% to 264 offences. Home burglaries declined by nearly 8% to 8,672 offences, while robbery was down by just under 1% to 6,600 offences and vehicle crime fell by 0.5% to 23,750 offences.
The figures matter because the reductions were recorded against a busier spring and summer for policing across the UK. Increased demand and calls for service coincided with total crime rising by just over 3,000 recorded incidents.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Jen Mattinson said: “Summer started early this year with increased temperatures in May and June. This brought an increase in calls from the public into West Midlands Police.
“Key crimes continue to fall and crime outcomes improve thanks to faster responses by police, more arrests, better victim care and good investigations.”
West Midlands Police made 63,556 arrests over the 12-month period, with the force saying arrest numbers continued to rise. Positive outcomes increased to almost 16%, representing 49,094 people charged or cautioned for an offence.
The statistics also show the scale of demand handled through the force's contact services. Between July 2025 and June 2026, West Midlands Police received 749,484 emergency calls, answering 999 calls in an average of two seconds. The force said that average had fallen from 57 seconds in summer 2022.
A further 1,018,185 calls were made to the 101 non-emergency number during the same period, with an average answer time of 34 seconds.
T/DCC Mattinson said: “We have seen a prolonged shift in the crime statistics over the last few years with continued crime reductions in the West Midlands.
“The hard work has been maintained by our officers and staff and we are committed to doing what the public expect us to do and what we are rightly held accountable for - arresting people, solving crimes and helping people feel safer.
“As well as crime reducing, we continue to deliver a first-class service answering 999 emergency calls within an average of two seconds and 101 non-emergency calls in 34 seconds.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, Simon Foster, welcomed the reductions but said further progress was needed.
He said: “I welcome these statistics, which show clear progress in tackling the crimes that matter most to our communities, including a vital 11% reduction in serious youth violence.
“This is a testament to the commitment, dedication and hard work of officers and staff across the West Midlands.
“However, any offence is still one too many. I will continue to hold West Midlands Police to account to ensure we build on these reductions, drive further improvements and keep people, families, businesses and communities safe and secure.”