Knife crime drops by a quarter in the West Midlands
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner reveals knife crime in the West Midlands has dropped by a quarter in the last two years
Knife crime in the West Midlands has fallen by a quarter over the past two years, according to new figures from the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
Data presented at an Accountability and Governance Board meeting shows recorded offences dropped by 25.1%, from 5,268 at the start of the Police and Crime Plan period to 3,946 in the year ending March 2026.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “These figures represent significant progress in our aim to prevent and tackle knife crime and serious youth violence.
"Every violent offence prevented, every knife removed from our streets and every young person diverted away from crime helps make our communities safer.”
Alongside the fall in offences, proactive policing activity has increased, with 1,035 stop and searches resulting in the recovery of a knife in the year ending March 2026 — a 16.4% rise on the baseline year.
The data also shows serious youth violence is continuing to decline, down 14.9% over the same period, reflecting what the Commissioner says is the impact of partnership work to prevent exploitation and offending.
PCC Foster said: “A 25.1% reduction in knife crime is a significant achievement and demonstrates the impact of investment, partnership working and proactive policing through my Police and Crime Plan.
"The increase in weapons recovered through stop and search shows officers are taking dangerous knives off our streets and preventing potential harm.”
He added: “I also welcome the continued reduction in serious youth violence. Protecting young people from violence, exploitation and criminality is one of my top priorities, and these results show our collective efforts are making a positive difference.”
However, PCC Foster warned there can be no complacency despite the improvements, adding: “One knife crime offence is one too many. I will continue to work closely with West Midlands Police, our Violence Reduction Partnership, local authorities, schools and community organisations to drive violence down further and ensure people feel safe in their communities.”