Fewer than one in 20 burglaries in West Mercia result in a charge

Worcestershire Liberal Democrats call for urgent action as almost two-thirds of burglary cases close without a suspect being identified

• 3,813 burglaries were recorded across West Mercia in 2025
• Just 4.7% resulted in a charge or summons
• In 2,483 cases – 65.1% of the total – police closed the investigation without identifying a suspect
• Dan Boatright-Greene calls for a guaranteed proper investigation of every burglary and stronger neighbourhood policing

Fewer than one in twenty burglaries recorded across West Mercia resulted in someone being charged or summonsed last year, new figures have revealed.

Home Office crime figures for 2025, analysed by the Liberal Democrats, show that 3,813 burglaries were recorded across the West Mercia Police area, but just 4.7% resulted in a charge or summons.

In 2,483 cases – almost two-thirds of all burglaries recorded – the investigation was closed without police identifying a suspect.

Across England and Wales, 223,194 burglaries were recorded during 2025. Just 13,936 – 6.24% – resulted in a charge, while in 160,396 cases, or 71.86%, no suspect was identified.

Worcestershire Liberal Democrats say the figures demonstrate the need for stronger neighbourhood policing and a guarantee that burglaries are properly investigated.

The party is calling for a statutory Burglary Response Guarantee, backed by the resources police forces need to investigate offences, gather evidence and pursue those responsible.

The figures come amid concern over changes to neighbourhood policing in West Mercia, including changes to PCSO working patterns which mean PCSOs now finish duty by 8 pm.

Dan Boatright-Greene, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire, said:

“When somebody breaks into your home or business, you should be able to expect that everything possible will be done to find those responsible.

“Yet across West Mercia, fewer than one in twenty burglary cases resulted in a charge last year, while almost two-thirds ended without a suspect even being identified. For victims who have had their homes, businesses and sense of security violated, that is simply not good enough.

“Our police officers work incredibly hard, often under enormous pressure. This isn’t about blaming them – it is about making sure they have the resources, neighbourhood presence and support they need to investigate crime properly.

“The Government needs to get a grip. We need stronger neighbourhood policing and a proper Burglary Response Guarantee so that victims know their case will be taken seriously and properly investigated.

“People across West Worcestershire deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets and when running their businesses. They should not have to accept burglary going unresolved as simply a fact of life.”