Overall crime and anti-social behaviour in the West Midlands has decreased, despite significant challenges facing local policing.
In his annual report, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster highlighted that an increase in police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) between 2024 and 2026 has contributed to this reduction.
The force employed 8,266 police officers in March 2026, up from 8,102 in 2024. PCSOs saw a slight increase from 310 to 314 over the same period.
Recorded crimes across the region fell from 328,153 offences in March 2024 to 300,418 in March 2026. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour incidents dropped considerably, from 26,405 to 18,684.
Mr Foster noted that 150 new officers were recruited and 174 were redeployed to neighbourhood policing in 2025/26, enhancing police presence in communities.
He said, “These additional resources have accompanied reductions in both crime and antisocial behaviour. Anti-social behaviour incidents fell by 29.24%, aided in part by improved recording practices under the anti-social behaviour plan. This ensures future data more accurately reflects police involvement in such matters. Total recorded crime reduced by 8.45%, indicating positive progress towards safer communities and increased public confidence in policing.”
However, Mr Foster warned of ongoing difficulties: “The past 16 years have presented a harsh reality for policing, caused by decisions made by central government. These have had a serious adverse impact on police presence, response times, investigation quality, and efforts to prevent and reduce crime. The under-resourced police service has often been left to manage the consequences, with the people of the West Midlands bearing the cost.”
The annual report is set to be presented to the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel on Monday, 28 September.