Dudley is the safest region in the West Midlands Police area according to the latest crime data statistics.

A report presented to Dudley Council’s Housing and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee says the borough has the lowest crime rate per 1,000 people.

The average number of crimes recorded per month in the third quarter (October to December) of the 2024/25 year, the latest data available, was down from 2,209 to 2,136.

It was a mixed bag for the top five offences which made up 83.3 per cent of total recorded crime in the area covered by the Dudley Community Safety Partnership (CSP) called Safe and Sound.

Violence against the person was down from 42.5 per cent for the third quarter in the previous year to 39.7 per cent, and burglary fell from 7.8 per cent to 6.4 per cent.

Theft rose from 16.5 per cent to 20.5 per cent in the same reporting period, while arson and criminal damage went up from 8 per cent to 8.4 per cent.

During the third quarter of 2024, Dudley accounted for 8.2 per cent of all crimes recorded by West Midlands Police.

Within the borough, the Dudley East Policing sector accounted for 62 per cent of all reported crimes. During the year to date, modern slavery offences more than doubled, with 76 per cent of the total affecting children.

Police recorded offences, including forcing people to perform labour, holding a person in slavery or servitude and arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

During the committee meeting, there was confusion around anti-social behaviour (ASB) statistics, with offences classified as either ASB or public safety and welfare (PSW) given as down by 8.6 per cent.

The report, however, added analysis of the data indicated an increase in each classification of ASB and PSW hoax calls also increasing.

The accuracy of the figures was queried by Cllr Jackie Cowell who was told the information was provided by the police and further clarification would be provided.