WEST Midlands Police made history by ending 2012 with the lowest crime levels ever recorded in the region.
December 2012 saw 13,811 offences ranging from murder to criminal damage recorded, beating the previously lowest ever month for crime (September) by 861 offences. And a 5.8 per cent compared to December 2011.
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Forsyth said: "December saw sustained rainfall and we accept that the rain will have helped deter some offences being committed, but the weather alone does not account for the steady and sustained reductions documented over the course of the last few months and the past decade as a whole.
"The reality is that our officers and staff have achieved this phenomenal result against a backdrop of unprecedented change in policing and I thank them for their tireless dedication and professionalism during this time.
"These are genuinely encouraging results for the people of the West Midlands but there is still much more we and our partners can do to make our region safer. With the public's help, support and valuable information, I believe we can continue to make a real difference."
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