Region sees drop in gun crimes

The latest crime figures show a drop in the number of gun crimes in the West Midlands.

Figures released on Thursday show there were 1,101 offences involving guns - a drop of 188 on the previous year.

More than one in 10 of all gun crimes in England and Wales is committed in the region, with only Manchester and London reporting more offences.

Home Office statistics for England and Wales show that violent crime has risen by 14% with 289,500 violent crimes recorded between July and September last year.

That compares with 253,000 during the same period in 2002.

But ministers say part of the increase is down to new methods used by police to record crimes.