Crime in
Birmingham has been decreasing since April 2003-March 2004.
We measure crime by financial year. Take a look at the statistics
below:
- Of the eight major cities in the country (Newcastle,
Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Birmingham
and Bristol), Birmingham has the lowest crime rate.
- According to a report (Urban Crime Rankings) produced
by think-tank ‘Reform’ in May 2006, Birmingham
ranked as 12th safest out of 56 cities/authorities for
their crime rates. Rural areas like Gloucester and Exeter
fair far worse than we do as a city with a population
of over one million.
- There have been 24,040 less victims of crime since
April 2003-March 2004 meaning more than a 20% reduction
with 140, 225 victims compared to 116,185 offences between
April 2006-March 2007.
- There have been 4,496 less homes burgled since April
2003-March 2004. That’s a huge 37% reduction in
burglary! This is one of our major successes since April
2003 - March 2004 from 12,170 incidents to 7,674 last
year (April 06-March07).
- There were 2,985 less cars broken into between April
2006-March 2007, compared to April 03-March 04 when there
were 13,949 thefts from cars, compared to 10,964. That’s
over a 21% reduction and almost 3000 more cars, safer
on the streets of Birmingham.
- There have been 4831 fewer cars stolen since April
2003-March 2004. That’s more than a 49% reduction
in motor vehicle theft. This crime type saw figures reduce
from 9,811 to 4,980 last year. That’s almost 5000
more cars staying with their rightful owners.
- Robbery is a crime type that concerns many people.
There have been 1259 less victims of robbery since April
03-March 04 from 5,691 robberies compared to 4,432 last
year. That’s a 21% reduction in robbery which can
help in making us feel safer when we are out and about
in Birmingham.
Fire Reduction in Birmingham is another one
of our major success areas. Not all cities have fire activity
associated with community safety. In Birmingham, our partners
at West Midlands Fire Service are fully involved and working
with us to reduce crime in Birmingham.
- We’ve had more than a 52% reduction in vehicle
arson since March 2003-April 2004 from 1,725 compared
to 802 incidents last year. That’s 923 less cars
set on fire, on our streets.
- 136 less homes in Birmingham have been accidentally
set on fire. The figures for accidental dwelling fires
have always been low with 393 fires in April 2003-March
2004 compared to 257 in April 2006-March 2007. That’s
a very good 20% reduction.
Although most crime is down we can never
afford to be complacent. We still have a problem with what
we call ‘public place wounding.’ This includes
alcohol related violence, common assault and wounding. Since
2002, violent crime has risen due to the more detailed recording
of crime e.g, incidents that were occurring in schools which
were not recorded before.
Public Place Wounding figures are slowly
reducing and is currently receiving a huge amount of attention
by Birmingham Community Safety Partnership and our partner
agencies. A group which has been specifically set up to target
this crime type has been implementing various projects with
licensed premises and targeting persistent offenders.
We would never want to suggest that you shouldn’t
be conscious of the security of your property or, your own
safety. Some of our crime reduction successes have been due
to us all being more cautious and reducing opportunities of
crime to occur. Now, we want to encourage as many of you as
possible to take our crime prevention on board – share
the information with your families, friends and neighbours
and make sure you use it yourself.
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