Neighbourhood crime across London has fallen by 14% in the last year – the equivalent of more than 35,000 fewer offences reported across the capital, says the Metropolitan Police.
Theft, personal robbery, and vehicle theft constitute neighbourhood crime, and their continued decline follows a sustained focus on local policing in crime hotspots to make London safer.
Crime in Westminster for example, one of the capital’s major tourist hubs, has seen neighbourhood crime plunge by over a third of offences.
Reacting to the fall in crime, Mayor Sadiq Kahn has said: “At the start of the year, we set out the huge strides the capital had made tackling violent crime.
“In the West End alone, we have seen phone thefts halved and 14,000 fewer neighbourhood crimes, following a doubling of officers on patrol in the heart of the capital.
“With more than five million extra visitors coming to London during the peak tourism season and the start of the school summer holidays, the Met Police are building on this work with extra officers in hotspot areas, tackling issues that matter to local communities including anti-social behaviour, robbery and mobile phone theft.
“We know many people online and across the world have been trying to talk London down, but the evidence is clear – London is one of safest global cities in the world, crime is falling and we’ll continue working together to build a safer London for everyone.”
The Met has also confirmed that they’re using live facial recognition technology cameras, drones and high-powered e-bikes to identify suspects and clamp down on criminal activity.
They claim to be arresting approximately 1000 suspects a month as a result of deploying this technology.
Andrea Simon, London’s victim commissioner said: “Burglary, theft, and robbery can have a devastating and lasting impact, and I have heard first-hand from victims just how profoundly these crimes affect their lives.
“Whilst this progress is encouraging, we know there is more to do to ensure everyone in London feels safe and has confidence that, if they report a crime, they will receive the response and support they need.”
The largest reductions in neighbourhood crime were also recorded in Waltham Forest, Camden, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Islington – all with at least -20%.
Featured image credit: Aswin Mahesh via Unsplash
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