Crime rates in Birmingham have naturally risen and fallen over the last few years. The numbers paint a clear picture of the most common crimes that took place in the wake of the 2020 global pandemic. This blog will look at crime statistics in Birmingham, focusing on Anti-social behaviour (ASB), Burglary, and shoplifting. We’ll then discuss some of the ways CCTV systems and alarms can help decrease Birmingham crime rates.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Looking back to the start of 2020, the reported number of cases for ASB in Birmingham was 2,272. Since then, that number has more than doubled, and during January 2021, the total number of recorded cases was 4,785.
When looking back over the past 5 years, the figures show a steady decline in the ASB rate each year.
Burglary
In January 2020, 2,328 cases of burglary were recorded, decreasing to 1,342 in June 2020. Since then, burglary crime rates have fluctuated, but remain lower than what they were at the start of 2020.
Shoplifting
Shoplifting reached its peak in October of 2020 compared to the months leading to it, with 1,160 recorded cases of shoplifting. When taking a look back over the year, it is unsurprising that reports of shoplifting were at their highest in October, as lockdown restrictions were temporarily lifted and more businesses were able to open their doors.
How CCTV and Alarms can decrease the Crime Rate
Since the 1980s, when they were first introduced for privately owned businesses, CCTV and alarm systems have significantly increased in popularity for the domestic environment. Today, privately owned security cameras way outnumber public cameras by 70:1.
Caught in the act
With a CCTV and alarm system, you can have constant eyes on the places where crimes are likely to be committed. Criminals are much more likely to be put off committing a crime if they know there is a good chance they could be caught and identified by a CCTV system.
Reduces blind spots
Criminals are always looking for secluded entry points into a property – the perfect place where no one is likely to find them lurking. With a camera covering the most vulnerable areas of your site, you are much more likely to deter potential criminals.
Cost-effective
Though the initial investment may seem costly, CCTV and alarm systems will pay for themselves in the long run. CCTV is a cost-effective alternative to having a staffed security team in place at all times, and has also been proven to deter crimes that would cause a business down time or a rise in insurance premium.
Hard Evidence
CCTV provides hard evidence of the crime and can be used against criminals should the case later be taken to court. An alarm system will notify you if someone has unlawfully gained access to your property, which could scare off a criminal before they have the chance to commit a crime.
Bee Tee Alarms
If you are looking for a tailored, comprehensive security system for your home or business, we welcome you to get in touch. You can find out more about the security solutions we offer by browsing our services.