By Richard Guttridge
Hundreds of weapons offences were reported across the West Midlands last year. And latest data has revealed the areas which have the biggest problems with weapons. In many cases, these will have been thugs armed with knives but will have also included guns and other types of offensive weapons. READ MORE: 拢200 for Nationwide customers not getting bonus payments Get our local newsletters like Black Country News, MySolihull and MySuttonColdfield straight to your inbox With its huge population and well-documented issues with deprivation and gangs, Birmingham unsurprisingly has the highest number of offences. The central area of Birmingham has the worst crime rate anywhere in the country in terms of the proportion of people living there. This gives each area a crime rate, based on the number of offences per 10,000 people. Check the interactive map below to see the crime rate where you live: A total of 151 weapons offences were recorded in this area, which has been the scene of numerous stabbings and shootings, giving it a crime rate of 232.7 per 10,000 people. Digbeth has a high rate of 124.4 after 89 offences were recorded. Over recent days, we have reported on a bus stabbing in Northfield and another attack in Bordesley Green . In the Black Country, Walsall Central has the highest crime rate. A total of 131 weapons offences were recorded in and around the town centre, giving the area a crime rate of 118.4 per 10,000 people. The Black Country town has suffered a number of stabbings over recent years, prompting police to use special temporary stop and search powers. Central Wolverhampton is another problem area. A total of 105 offences were reported in 2024. To get breaking news emailed to you, sign up here , it’s free. The Government has unveiled measures to try to tackle knife crime. Last month, the Home Office published plans to fine tech companies and their executives up to 拢70,000 for failing to remove content related to knife crime from their platforms. The penalty includes up to 拢10,000 for executives and 拢60,000 for the company. It follows last year鈥檚 ban on zombie-style knives and machetes, the street name given to weapons which are over eight inches in length and often have a serrated edge. A nationwide surrender scheme will launch in July.