Issue - meetings

Officers gave a summary of a report on Burglary and Vehicle Crime in the District based on figures provided by West Mercia Police. The report had been requested following receipt of a topic proposal form from Councillor S. R. Colella at its meeting held on 11th July 2011.

• Members heard that dwelling burglary figures tended to vary considerably on a month to month basis. This was attributed to various factors, including a historical tendency for increased burglary during longer nights in autumn and winter. Burglaries that took place in garages not connected to a house were no longer classed as dwelling burglaries.

• Burglary rates tended to be higher in Bromsgrove compared to other local authority areas in Worcestershire. It was explained that the area was particularly vulnerable to cross border crimes due to its close proximity to the Birmingham conurbation and motorway networks. Members also heard that a very small number of prolific offenders could account for a spike in offences. However, it was reported that West Mercia Police and West Midlands Police were in constant dialogue to help mitigate cross border crime.

• Members suggested that detection rates for dwelling burglary and vehicle crime appeared to be significantly low in Bromsgrove between April and October 2011. Officers confirmed that the detection rates were currently lower than most other areas in Worcestershire, however it was commented that there had been fewer offences to detect. 

• Members discussed the possibility of any reduction in the number of frontline police officers and were advised by Officers that if the Board wished to take this issue further it should do so through its Police Authority representative.

Officers informed Members that it was difficult to accurately compare crime figures in Bromsgrove against that of other areas, as the district’s close proximity to motorway networks made it easily accessible. It was not, however, thought that Bromsgrove could be classed as a hotspot crime area when compared to areas of high conurbations.

The Board was concerned that members of the public were increasingly being targeted for theft in popular retail areas.  Officers informed the Board that local police were educating residents on this issue to make them more mindful of this particular crime. The police were also encouraging local superstores to take a more pro-active approach in tackling this. However, there was no evidence to suggest that this crime was common in Bromsgrove.

The Chairman invited Councillor Colella to comment on the Board’s discussions and he thanked the Board for taking the issue forward, and relevant Officers for providing the report. He welcomed greater transparency through the availability of relevant data and suggested that a comparison of Bromsgrove’s crime figures to other areas with similar characteristics could be suitable for further scrutiny.

Members commended Officers on their work and welcomed regular updates.

RESOLVED that an updated report be provided to the Board in six months.