Londoners still fear crime despite three years of Mayor Livingstone

3.20.52pm GMT Tue 20th Jan 2004

Londoners still identify crime levels and safety fears as the worst aspects of living in the capital despite three years of Mayor Livingstone's police initiatives.

Commenting on the Mayor's annual London Survey, Graham Tope, police spokesperson, said:

"This survey highlights that crime levels and safety fears remain the top concerns for many Londoners. Indeed, other surveys such as the authoritative and well-respected British Crime Survey 2002/3 report levels of worry about burglary, car crime and violent crime are still significantly higher in London compared to rest of England and Wales."

He added:

"Mayor Livingstone's ambition to cut crime by 50 per cent in the next four years is an unrealistic promise.

"A more realistic priority would be to ensure that sufficient officers are assigned to local policing duties instead of simply boosting numbers in central London. A greater local police presence would reassure Londoners that steps were being taken to reduce crime and allay their fears."

ENDS

Notes to editor: The Mayor announced early results of the Annual London Survey at his press conference this morning at City Hall.