Jon Hunt has warned of the collapse of local policing in the region as new figures show it leading the country for failure to solve common crimes.
New nationwide analysis today by the Liberal Democrats reveals that 31,519 crimes reported to West Midlands police last year were closed without a suspect being identified –18,309 burglaries, 8,386 car thefts and 4,821 robberies.
The party’s analysis shows that 88% of all burglary cases and 68% of robberies in the West Midlands are closed without a suspect being identified. It shows the region has one of the worst records in the country for investigation of common crimes – and specifically the worst record in the country for solving burglaries and robberies.
The data reinforces the findings of the National Crime Survey, which placed the West Midlands as the lowest-rated police force in the country.
Cllr Jon Hunt, Liberal Democrat candidate for West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said:
“Everyone in the West Midlands should be able to feel safe in their homes and walking down our streets. But the Conservative Government and the hugely expensive Labour-run Police and Crime Commissioner Office have left our communities vulnerable and letting criminals get away with it.
“West Midlands police need the officers, resources and time to focus on preventing and solving crimes.
“I am calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are based in their communities and are visible, trusted and known personally to local people.
“In the next few days I will be setting out detailed plans for dramatic improvements in the quality of local policing in the West Midlands. As a city councillor in Birmingham, I entered this contest because I have seen the sad decline in local policing in recent years after many years of effective working with good local police teams.
“I will also be repeating my original call for this failed and expensive post to be replaced by an elected deputy Mayor of the region.”
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