NEWS | 27% rise in knife crime recorded in West Mercia

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported a 27% rise in knife crime in the West Mercia Police force area in the year ending June 2020.

The increase comes despite the majority of the West Midlands area seeing a decline in knife crime.

The change in the number of offences involving knives or sharp instruments in April to June 2020 compared with April to June 2019 also varied by Police Force Area. For example, looking at the three areas with the highest rate per 100,000 population:

• London¹ saw a 44% decrease
• West Midlands saw a 31% decrease
• Greater Manchester² saw a 2% increase

Further crime statistics can be found by visiting the ONS website via the following link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingjune2020