Councillor Phil Bateman said today that –
The Police & Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has issued this following statement.
“In the West Midlands there has been a one per cent rise in recorded crime, compared to a two per cent national rise.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said,
“These statistics should be a wake-up to the next government that crime is not falling, it is changing.
“These statistics highlight a fall across the force area in many crimes such as robbery, criminal damage and drug offences, but show a rise in previously hidden sexual offences. Better recording, and stronger action from the police is making people more confident that these crimes will be tackled. To meet this demand and investigate these crimes, West Midlands Police has increased its Public Protection Unit from 300 to 800 staff.
Councillor Phil Bateman added the PCC said “These statistics are an endorsement of my call for a fairer funding settlement for the West Midlands. Our force receives £43 million pounds a year less than the government’s own formula says we need. The West Midlands is losing out to lower crime areas, with less need.
“If we are to continue to tackle crime and solve the complicated crimes of the future then the government needs to give us our fair share and invest in local policing.”
Now as one of the elected members for Wednesfield North, the questions I asked at the last local ‘Wednesfield North Police and Community Together’ meeting about “if the community was targeting the right crime in the right areas of the Ward,” becomes even more pronounced.
If we can see the West Midlands Force boosting its Public Protection Unit from 300 to 800 an 166% increase in resources. They are doing this because sex crimes and sexual exploitation is on the rise. So if it is on the rise across the West Midlands is it on the rise here in Wednesfield North?
The PACT meetings are important, as they are the link between the Local Police and the community. But to understand better what is taking place in Wednesfield North there needs to be Police reports that also have to become more sophisticated.
Sex and sexual exploitation crimes must be included in the round up of crime in the area.
When whole communities start understanding how crime is prevalent in their areas, then the call by the PCC will have more impact. Yes of course we need better investment in the police, but we also need the Police to better inform us of what is taking place in our neighbourhoods. So that when we support statements from the Police & Crime Commissioner we do so from a position of knowledge. I will be contacting senior Police Chiefs about this statement.” 
