A police chief is blaming a recent spike in violent crime – on the HOT WEATHER.
West Midlands Police has seen serious crime rise by 2.3 per cent in the period from April to July 15.
In April the force boasted it was one of the best performing constabularies in the UK with total recorded crime down by 13 per cent compared with last year.
But Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thompson admitted more offences had been committed since the weather improved.
In his own blog he wrote: “We are seeing some lifts in violence which does reflect some hot and busy weekends, as cops, nice weekends really can be a mixed blessing.
“More minor crimes like shoplifting and thefts from vehicles are also playing a part.”
Since April there have been 799 serious crimes reported compared to 781 in the same period last year.
Last year, which saw Britain endure one of the wettest years’ on record, the force saw crime dip to an all-time low.
Deputy Chf Con Thompson added: “We must remember in 2012-13 crime rates across the region fell to record lows so this marginal increase should be viewed in that context.
“On the whole, people in the West Midlands are safer now than at any time in recent history and total crime now stands at roughly half the level it was a decade ago.”
