Burglary falls in London

05/01
16 January 2001

Figures released by the Home Office today show that crime rose by 5 per cent in the Met over the last twelve months ending September 2000 compared to the same period last year. However latest figures collated by the Met, ending December 2000, are just over 1 per cent down on the same period last year.

These latest figures also show that burglary, Londoner's top crime priority, fell by 9.9 per cent and auto crime fell by 0.6 per cent. However street crime showed an increase of 20.1 per cent and drug offences rose by 15 per cent on the same months in 1999.

Commenting on these figures Toby Harris, Chairman of the MPA said:

"Whilst the drop in the crime figures for burglary and auto crime are to be applauded, tackling street crime and drugs remain key priorities for the Met. This is particularly important in inner city Boroughs such as Westminster, Lambeth, Newham and Southwark, where improvements must be made.

The Met is currently targeting street crime through such initiatives as Safer Streets, as seen in the Boroughs of Islington, Westminster and Tower Hamlets. Through consultation with the local communities and by applying police crime analysis and intelligence, each Borough has been able to develop their own anti crime strategies based on the crime targets of that particular Borough. Resources are then deployed where they are needed most.

We are also looking at other ways to tackle street crime. For example mobile phone thefts have increased sharply and the Met is now working with mobile phone manufacturers to address this problem as well as initiating crime prevention work in schools. Current figures show that 70 per cent of street crime in London is committed by youths under 17 years old and 72 per cent of the victims of such crime are under 17. Furthermore 40 per cent of those arrested had no previous convictions.

To address these crime figures the Met urgently needs more officers and we are already making several inroads to tackle this problem. For example, today we announced the concession from all main line train operators in and out of London to allow Met officers to travel free of charge. We have also made provision in our Budget for a further 1050 police officers in London this financial year. All these officers will be front line personnel. Additionally we are looking at ways to retain civil staff so that police officers can be freed up from administrative duties.

Better use of analysis, intelligence led policing and technology such as CCTV and DNA, is reflected in improved crime figures, for example in the burglary and auto crime. Successful anti crime initiatives also reflect the strength of partnerships of police, local councils and community groups working together to tackle local needs and crime targets.

The people of London demand and deserve a safe city. Our remit is to build on the improvements already made, and by policing with the consent of all our communities, ensure the capital becomes a safer city for everyone."

The Home Secretary announced today that recorded crime fell nationally over the last 12 months ending September 2000 by 0.2 per cent compared to the 12 months ending September 1999. However recorded crime for the metropolitan police forces (Metropolitan Police Service, Greater Manchester Police Service, West Midlands) as a whole increased by 1 per cent.

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