VIOLENT CRIME IN LONDON UP 37% IS OF GRAVE CONCERN

11.10.48am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd Jul 2004

Graham has warned the 37% increase in violent crime is of grave concern

Commenting on new figures released by the British Crime Survey that show violent crime rose by 37% year on year, with London now having the highest violent crime rate in the country, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Policing Spokesman, Graham Tope, said:-

"London's new violent crime figures are not good news either for the politicians in charge, or for Londoners. In a city where violent crimes have gone up by a 37% in the last year, there is a huge amount of work to be done.

"During the election the Met told candidates that the British Crime Survey showed the reality that London has one of the lowest rates of violent crime. According to the latest figures this simply is nonsense with London now facing the highest violent crime rate in the country.

"These figures show that a tougher clampdown on violent and alcohol fuelled crime must be a priority for the police. London's binge drinking thugs and dangerous criminals must know their lives will get harder not easier and that there will be a no-nonsense policy to bringing violent crime down.

ENDS

Notes to editor

According to the British Crime Survey, violent crime in London was up 37% between 2003/03 and 2003/04 and now is the highest in England and Wales.

The full report on London British Crime Survey statistics can be found at:-

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/london04.pdf