Crime in the West Midlands is up but remains below the national average

The number of crimes recorded by West Midlands Police has risen - but the increase is lower than the national average.Figures released by the Office for National Statistics today (Thursday) show a six per cent rise in the 12 months up to June this year - compared to eight per cent across England and Wales.Reports of non-domestic burglaries have fallen by eight per cent and drug offences by two per cent.Although violent crime has gone up by 19 per cent and possession of a weapon by 17 per cent in