Shocking statistics are just criminal: West Midlands Police has lowest burglary arrest rate in country

In 2014/15 the force made just seven arrests for every 100 burglaries reported, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It puts the region well below the national average of 14 arrests per 100 break-ins.

And West Midlands Police (WMP) failed to solve 90.5 per cent of burglaries in the year ending March 2014, the Home Office says.

It puts WMP as the fifth worst of the UK's 43 police forces in terms of burglary clearance rates, during a period when the West Midlands was the tenth worst hit area in the country for burglaries.

The national average for clearance rates was 12.2 per cent.

The figures have been described as 'scandalous' by a West Midlands MEP, who has called for the regions police and crime commissioner to investigate the force's 'appallingly low' arrest rate.

And Victim Support said that victims of burglary needed to be reassured that the crime was being taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.

But the region's police and crime commissioner says the recruitment of 450 extra police officers will have 'a significant impact' on targeting prolific burglars.

The new figures from the ONS show that in 2014/15 a total of 22,456 burglaries were reported in the West Midlands. There were 1,542 arrests - amounting to seven arrests for every 100 burglaries.

"It is absolutely scandalous that so many burglaries are going unsolved," said West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge.

"People need to know that the police force is effective in dealing with all types of crime. This appallingly low arrest rate shows that burglary is not at the top of their priorities.

It is not just the loss of personal items – some of which can have a deeply sentimental value – it's the knowledge that someone has invaded the sanctuary of your home.

A study by the independent charity Victim Support last year found that one in four burglary victims said they had experienced mental health issues after a break-in.

Increased anxiety and symptoms of depression were reported, while the same proportion of victims also said they felt their ability to keep their family safe was affected by a break-in.

Victim Support chief executive Mark Castle, said: "Burglary not only robs victims of their physical possessions, it can rob people of their sense of security at home as well, a place where everyone should feel most safe."

Last week a Willenhall man was left devastated after two seven-week-old puppies were stolen from his home in a daylight raid.

Seven-week old Bertie and Jimmy – each worth £2,000 – were taken after two raiders used a crowbar to force their way into Peter Beighton's house in Beccles Drive, Portobello.

"We don't know where they are, they aren't ready to be without their mum," he told the Express & Star. "It's just scary knowing that someone has been in your house."

Pensioner Lindy Roberts said she was so traumatised after her house was broken into that she was not able to sleep in her own bedroom until it had been redecorated. Mrs Roberts' Ludlow home was raided while she was away in Bournemouth looking after her grandchildren. Five months later she says she has not heard whether the case ever went to court, despite two people being arrested .

"I have lost my faith in human nature, which is rather sad because, before that, I trusted everyone," the 73-year-old said.

"They rifled everywhere, all the drawers were out, clothes were all over the house. All the kitchen cupboards were open and the lids taken off all the tins in the pantry, they looked everywhere you can imagine.

"I don't know where to start with it – it feels like it's invaded my soul."

"We keep hearing that crime is going down. Maybe reported crime has gone down, but that is because people have got to the point where they don't have any faith in the police to bring criminals to justice."

Mr Etheridge said that West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson should 'hang his head in shame'. He has called on Mr Jamieson to investigate 'why the police are failing to bring burglars to justice'.

"The public are not interested in community sessions where everyone sits down and has a nice chat and a cup of tea," he added. "They need to see that crimes are being solved and offenders brought to book."

Mr Jamieson has hit back, accusing Mr Etheridge of pointing out problems but offering 'no solutions or ideas'.

He said: "It should be noted that whilst crime as a whole is changing and rising, burglary has consistently fallen.

"Crime in the West Midlands is much lower than in other urban areas. Also we have a better record of detection of burglaries than other similar forces.

"By making efficiencies I have put resources where they matter most. Those tough decisions have enabled me to protect PCSOs from redundancy and crucially put the funds in place to complete the recruitment of 450 police officers by the end of this financial year.

"Those officers will have a significant impact and will bolster our neighbourhood, response and public protection teams.

"Those new officers will work with existing teams to target repeat offenders who carry out many of the burglaries in the West Midlands."

West Midlands Police say they have seen year-on-year reductions in the number of burglaries, with 474 fewer last year than in 2014 - a fall of 4 per cent.

In Wolverhampton the number of recorded burglaries fell by 13 per cent over the last year. But figures released last week by MoneySuperMarket named West Bromwich as one of the worst areas outside London for burglaries.

Chief Inspector Anthony Tagg, lead for burglary at West Midlands Police, said that almost half of the burglaries in 2014/15 related to non-domestic buildings like sheds, garages and outhouses.

Ask anyone on the street and it is likely they will say being burgled is one of the crimes they fear the most.

An Englishman's house is his castle.

We are entitled to believe we will be be safe in our own bricks and mortar.

New figures published today regarding West Midlands Police's success rate in investigating burglaries does not make re-assuring reading.

There are just seven arrests for every 100 break-ins, and nine in 10 cases remain unsolved.

Those figures are quite staggering, but apparently not far from the national average.

To most of us it would appear impossible to defend this record.

We appreciate the incredibly demanding job police officers in this region have.

But this smacks of either misplaced priorities or a lack of resource.

Some may suspect from the statistics that the police have almost given up on investigating burglaries.

We are sure this is not the case but who could blame the public for thinking this?

In the last year another force admitted it only acted if the house had an even number and on another occasion the new chief of the National Crime Agency said on television that burglary victims should not expect investigating officers to go to their homes.

These examples plus the latest figures do nothing to instil confidence in our law enforcement agencies.

We ask West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson to be candid with the public.

Is it a case that the police force is no longer adequately equipped to do the job satisfactorily? Or should we look again at the force's priorities?

It is exactly this type of overview and direction that West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson is there to provide.

If he were to play an active role in improving these disturbing figures, the public may be more convinced that it is worthwhile having someone in his role at all.

Mr Jamieson has done some sterling work since taking over from the late Bob Jones, but ask the man in the street who he is and few would be able to pick him out of a line-up.

The time has come for the commissioner to show exactly what he is made of – and what he is there for.

"These often occur in the middle of the night when there are no witnesses or CCTV to assist the investigation so securing arrests and convictions is even more challenging," he said.

"Simple measures to increase security are important in the fight against crime ? and it's worth remembering that around a quarter of all break-ins are as a result of windows and doors being left unlocked.

"While no properties are totally immune from burglary, thieves most often look for the easy option, such as doors and windows left open or unlocked or the house left in total darkness in the early evening showing no one is at home.

"Our focus on preventing burglaries takes many forms including crime prevention, targeted patrol strategies, the use of intelligence and a significant investment in integrated offender management."

Across England the number of recorded burglaries fell from 423,912 in 2013-14 to 392,341 in 2014-15. Over the same period arrests dropped from 66,571 to 54,466.

This equates to a decrease of 12.5 per cent.

Cleveland Police had the highest proportion of arrests for burglary, with 32 arrests for every 100 break-ins.

The figures do not take into account people arrested for more than one burglary at the same time, nor those arrested for offences committed in previous years.

In West Mercia burglary rates are low, but less than one in five domestic burglaries are ever solved. The figure falls to less than one in 20 for commercial and non-domestic break-ins.

West Mercia police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore said crime prevention had been his priority in his four years in post.

"Burglary is a good example of the type of offence where some simple steps and precautions can stop a crime happening," he said.

"We have seen some excellent progress in that respect, and fewer people have become victims as a result.

"West Mercia has one of the lowest burglary rates in the country, and work will continue with our partners and local communities to improve that even further.

"Of course, it is vital when burglaries occur, that the police can and do investigate them properly, taking every possible step to bring offenders to justice, and provide the best possible service to victims."

However, John Campion, Tory candidate to become the next commissioner at May's election, said he did not think enough priority was being given to catching burglars.

Last year police arrested 75,000 fewer people in England and Wales than the previous year, despite a rise in recorded crime.

Across the 43 forces there was a 7 per cent average drop in arrests.