Police chief says that the West Midlands is ‘blighted by violence’

THE West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has urged the Government not to forget about the West Midlands when it launches proposals to crack down on serious violence.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd is expected to launch a new strategy for fighting serious violence next week.

While it’s been planned for months, the launch will follow a series of high-profile deaths in London.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “I hope as part of the government’s strategy there is real action and additional financial support for areas such as the West Midlands that have been blighted by violence.”

The high level of violence in London has understandably received a lot of attention.

There have been 52 killings in the capital this year, most due to stabbings. The West Midlands also has a serious problem.

In 2012 there were 1,566 knife crime incidents in the area served by West Midlands Police.

By 2016 that number had risen to 2,296.

And in 2012 the number of gun crime incidents in the West Midlands was 459, but by 2016 that number had risen to 584.

A major report published in November 2017 by the Commission on Gangs and Violence, set up by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, warned there were “crucial links between the drugs industry, the illegal use of firearms and knives and serious violence”.

Mr Jamieson has allocated £2 million to begin putting into practice some of the report’s reccomendations. A mentoring scheme to help young people, at risk of offending, make the right life choices. A package of support to rehabilitate ex-offenders as they leave prison and re-enter their communities. The aim is to break the cycle of crime. Programmes designed to provide alternative activities for young people at risk of school exclusion and offending. And he has met Ms Rudd to ask the government to provide an additional to defuse violence £2million. between gangs and to Mr Jamieson, said: “I help individuals escape a hope the government’s life of crime. strategy to tackle violence include: Creating team of expert negotiators They is more than just warm words.

“To be successful the government needs to support schemes such as the Gangs and Violence Commission in the West Midlands, which is delivering opportunities for young people to turn their lives away from crime.

“The West Midlands was the first area in England to bring in a public health approach to reduce violence.

“It means the health service are working alongside the police to reduce this kind of crime. Progress could be much quicker with support from the government.”

I hope the government’s strategy to tackle violence is more than just warm words.