Burglaries up 22pc following record low

The number of burglaries in the West Midlands has risen by an average of 300 a month, figures revealed today.

Robberies and vehicle crime were also up compared to last year, while violent crime was down.

Burglaries rose by 22 per cent year - from an average of 1,341 a month at the start of 2009, to 1,637 a month between February and April this year. West Midlands Police spokesman

Jim Levack said the rise in burglaries came after last year's figures were lowest in more than 30 years.

"Whilst we continue to work hard to reduce the figures further still there are always seasonal and monthly variations dictated by lighter evenings and warmer days when we would urge families to think more about security," he added.

In Wolverhampton, burglaries were up by 10 per cent. Robbery rates remained steady in the city, vehicle crime rose by 27 per cent, while violent crime and anti-social behaviour have all fallen.

Burglaries in Walsall rose by 13 per cent, from an average of 129 a month last year to 147 this year.

Robbery and violent crime in the town rose by three per cent and eight per cent respectively, while cases of violence and anti-social behaviour both fell.

In Sandwell the number of burglaries a month increased from an average of 159 a month to 175 - up 9.6 per cent. Robbery, violence and anti-social behaviour all fell while vehicle crime rose by 2.4 per cent.

In Birmingham burglary is up 26.9 per cent year-on-year while vehicle crime, robbery, violence and anti-social behaviour have all fallen. Cannock has seen burglary levels rise by eight per cent.

The number of burglaries in Dudley, Lichfield, Stafford, Lichfield and South Staffordshire all fell, according to the figures.

There were 16,500 burglaries in the region last year - the lowest level since the 1970s. At their peak in 2001 the figure stood at more than 50,000.

Anti-social behaviour reports fell by an average of more than 22 per cent between February and April this year.