ASSAULTS ON MET POLICE ROCKET 160% IN THREE YEARS

12.01.00am GMT Tue 11th Jan 2005

New figures revealed today by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats show that the number of assaults on police officers has increased by 160% in London in the last 3 years, with every Borough in London recording an increase.

The figures, revealed in Mayoral Answers to Liberal Democrats, show that between October 2001 and September 2002 there were 1,267 assaults on police officers. Between October 2003 and September 2004 there were 3,287 assaults - an increase of 160%. Twenty-one out of thirty three London Boroughs recorded that assaults on officers had more than doubled in three years.

The Boroughs with the highest number of assaults on police officers between October 2001 and September 2004 were:-

· Westminster with 571

· Lambeth with 463

· Southwark with 332

· Islington with 328

· Camden with 295

Liberal Democrat Policing Spokesperson, Graham Tope, said:-

"These figures are deeply worrying. Officers who dedicate themselves to policing our streets and keeping Londoners safe might expect a few hazards on the job, but to be subjected to violence and assaults from members of the public is unacceptable.

"Ministers must take a stand and adopt a zero tolerance approach to those who have caused injury or harm to police officers who are simply doing their job.

"The figures are symptomatic of the increasing levels of yobbish and violent behaviour connected to alcohol and late-night reveling. With twenty-four hour drinking approaching fast, the Home Office and the Mayor must do more to ensure London's town centres do not become no-go areas for the police and public alike."

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. The figures are taken from Mayoral answers to Graham Tope ref: - 1919/2004

TOTAL ASSAULTS ON CONSTABLES OFFENCES FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS October 2001 - September 2004

BROKEN DOWN BY YEAR AND BOROUGH

Borough name Total Assaults Oct 01 - Sept 04 %age increase

Total 6,799 - 159.43%

Westminster 571 - 187.00%

Lambeth 463 - 375.47%

Southwark 332 - 224.00%

Islington 328 - 253.70%

Camden 295 - 270.45%

Croydon 295 - 290.00%

Lewisham 288 - 225.00%

Greenwich 275 - 170.37%

Hackney 266 - 152.00%

Newham 266 - 67.57%

Hammersmith & Fulham 258 - 134.69%

Tower Hamlets 221 - 136.59%

Wandsworth 206 - 97.67%

Hounslow 204 - 167.65%

Brent 196 - 220.59%

Waltham Forest 188 - 44.68%

Barking & Dagenham 185 - 83.33%

Redbridge 172 - 144.12%

Haringey 165 - 322.73%

Barnet 161 - 153.33%

Havering 155 - 47.50%

Kensington & Chelsea 155 - 23.91%

Enfield 151 - 165.38%

Hillingdon 149 - 96.88%

Ealing 143 - 168.00%

Bromley 139 - 188.00%

Merton 115 - 69.23%

Bexley 105 - 200.00%

Sutton 97 - 17.86%

Harrow 93 - 109.09%

Richmond Upon Thames 76 - 87.50%

Kingston Upon Thames 72 - 94.44%

Heathrow Airport 14 - 33.33%