Robbery rate soars by 34 per cent

Robberies in the West Midlands have soared by more than a third, while overall crime also rose over the winter, it was revealed today.

Figures covering September to November 2010 reveal the average number of robberies has risen from 585 a month to 785 — a rise of 34.2 per cent compared with 2009.

Break-ins have gone up by 13 per cent to an average of 2,817 a month in the region — up from 2,493 during the same period the previous year.

Vehicle crime went up 15 per cent over the winter compared with the same time last year, violent crime increased by 16 per cent and overall crime by 2.6 per cent.

It is the second quarter in a row that has seen a significant rise in crime.

Today, Shadow Home Secretary Ed Balls warned that alarming rise in the West Midlands was an inevitable result of swingeing cuts facing police forces.

All forces in the region are having to make big savings, with West Midlands Police told to save £40m in 2011-12 with a further £38m savings in 2012-13.

In November West Midlands Police Authority agreed to introduce compulsory retirement for police officers who have served for more than 30 years.

The rise in crime follows a major shake-up of policing in the region last April.

Councillor Bob Jones, who represents Wolverhampton on the West Midlands Police Authority, said: "We have expressed concern. Crime has been generally going up for the best part of the year."

Figures have been released after think tank Civitas warned that offenders were more likely to get away with crimes as police numbers are cut following the Government's spending review.

Crime in Staffordshire fell 9.7 per cent compared with the same time last year, while it rose by 3.5 per cent in West Mercia.