Gun crime drops in West Mercia policing area
Gun crime in the West Mercia policing area dropped by 16% in the 2013/14 financial year, latest government figures show.
There were 42 recorded firearms offences in the area between April 2013 and March 2014 down from 50 in the 2012/13 financial year. This also represents a reduction of 66% since 2007/08 when 124 offences were recorded.
With just three recorded firearms offences per 100,000 people, the area has one of the lowest gun crime rates in the country.
In England and Wales, firearms offences fell 6% over the same period with 4,842 reported in 2013/14.
The force is committed to further reductions in firearms offences and in autumn 2014 it ran a two-week firearms surrender campaign that led to 299 people handing in 328 weapons to police stations across the region.
Chief Superintendent Steve Cullen said:
“These latest figures demonstrate our commitment to reducing gun crime and making the region a safer place to live. Gun crime ruins lives and tears communities apart and we will continue to tackle the problem and ensure people who are intent on committing such offences are brought to justice.
“We’re not being complacent and would urge the public to continue to support us and report any concerns or information they have around gun crime or people possessing firearms.
“The vast majority of firearms in the region are legally held by responsible owners who play a vital role in helping to keep gun crime low by ensuring their weapons are kept securely and there is no danger of them falling into the wrong hands and being used for criminal offences.”
West Mercia Deputy PCC Barrie Sheldon said:
"It's very pleasing to hear this news. We would always welcome a drop in any type of crime, but particularly where firearms are involved. It's clear West Mercia is already a very safe place to live, and this only helps improve that even further. However, we cannot afford to be complacent and robust action is still needed whenever firearms offences occur."
Alan Barrell, joint chair of the West Mercia and Warwickshire Firearm Licensing Unit Independent Advisory Group, and represents The National Gamekeepers Organisation and The British Deer Society on that group, welcomed the drop in gun crime in West Mercia and Warwickshire.
He said: "The unlawful use of a firearm can have the most disastrous consequences. In addition, the unlawful use of firearms can easily be misinterpreted to falsely casting a slur on the tens of thousands of law-abiding firearms owners who need them for their work or recreation. We therefore welcome the significant drop in gun related crime recorded recently in our police area."
