How West Midlands shed its gun crime capital label
Gun crime in the West Midlands has dropped significantly over the past two decades, moving from a peak of notoriety to much lower incident rates. Authorities and community mentors attribute this decline to improved policing strategies and a cultural shift among youth.
Why it matters
This trend provides a case study in how targeted law enforcement and community engagement can successfully reduce violent crime in urban areas.
Figure caption, Crowds flee as shots fired outside club
More than 10 years ago, the West Midlands was dubbed the gun crime capital of England and Wales.
It was an area suffering from high-profile shootings. Gun fights between rival gangs were happening regularly.
Figures at the time reflected that notoriety - there were more firearms offences per head in the West Midlands Police force area than anywhere else.
"Back then, there were shootings every day, reported shootings every day and unreported shootings every day," says Simeon Moore, also known as Zimbo, an ex-Johnson crew member - one of the Birmingham's most notorious gangs in the noughties.
New figures seen by BBC News show shootings in the West Midlands force area - covering Birmingham, Wolverhampton, the Black Country and Coventry - have dropped significantly over the past six years.
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