The region's police and crime commissioner has warned about rising crime fuelled by increased reporting of sexual offences.

David Jamieson said that West Midlands Police was severely underfunded and accused other areas with lower crime of getting more cash.

Overall crime in the region has risen by one per cent.

The new statistics also reveal a 20 per cent rise in serious sexual offences including rape, a nine per cent increase in violent crime and a rise in the reporting of domestic abuse.

Mr David Jamieson, said: "These statistics should be a wake-up to the next government that crime is not falling, it is changing.

"These statistics highlight a fall across the force area in many crimes such as robbery, criminal damage and drug offences, but show a rise in previously hidden sexual offences. Better recording, and stronger action from the police is making people more confident that these crimes will be tackled.

"To meet this demand and investigate these crimes, West Midlands Police has increased its Public Protection Unit from 300 to 800 staff.

"These statistics are an endorsement of my call for a fairer funding settlement for the West Midlands. Our force receives £43 million a year less than the government's own formula says we need.

"The West Midlands is losing out to lower crime areas, with less need.

"If we are to continue to tackle crime and solve the complicated crimes of the future then the government needs to give us our fair share and invest in local policing."

West Midlands Police said the rise in sex offences had been due to the greater number of victims speaking out, triggered by high-profile cases such as Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris.

It said it had doubled the number of officers in the Public Protection Unit to cope with the huge amount of calls.

Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thompson, said: "It's reassuring to see increased reporting of domestic abuse and sexual offences.

"It shows victims have greater confidence they will be listened to by our officers, taken seriously, and their report will be investigated fully.

"We've doubled the number of officers in our Public Protection Unit − specialist officers who are on hand 24-7 to safeguard and support victims − and run some high-profile campaigns urging survivors to speak out.

"I'm delighted the message is hitting home and fewer people are suffering in silence."