Official crime figures show fall murder and firearm offences in West Midlands
The number of murders and firearm offences in the West Midlands have fallen by more than 5%, official crime figures have shown.
The British Crime Survey, the Government's preferred measure of crime, found the number of murders in the region fell from 77 in 2003/04 to 71 in 2007/08, a drop of 5%.
Firearm offences also fell from 1,410 to 1,328 across the West Midlands in the past five years.
West Midlands Police reported a 31% drop in the number of incidents, while Staffordshire Police reported a 14% increase in firearm offences.
West Murcia Police had the greatest drop in the number of murders, from 16 in 2003/04 to 11 in 2007/07, a decrease of 31%.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "The statistics show overall crime is stable and the risk of being a victim remains historically low. Since 1997, crime has fallen by 39% and violence is down by 40%.
"I welcome the figures which show overall recorded violent crime is down 6% - over 15,000 fewer violent crimes - and I congratulate the police for their major role in delivering this."
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said: "These statistics show yet another harsh consequence of Gordon Brown's economic downturn. This is made worse because the Home Secretary clearly has no idea how to deal with this credit crunch crime wave.
"Combating the scourge of violent crime will require concerted action across the board. This does not just mean more police on the streets and tough penalties that are actually enforced. It also means addressing the fundamental causes of crime, such as drugs and family breakdown."
