VIOLENT CRIME MAKES UP QUARTER OF ALL OFFENCES IN LONDON

12.01.00am GMT Wed 26th Jan 2005

Ahead of the Budget debate later today at which the London Assembly Liberal Democrats are to propose more money for the police to tackle violent crime and anti-social behaviour, the Lib Dems have published new figures which show violent crime now accounts for one in four of all crimes in the capital.

The new figures show that between April and December 2003 out of 795,743 crimes reported to the Met, 177,836 (22%) were classed as violent. By April to December 2004, out of the 779,993 crimes reported, 193,283 (25%) were violent crimes. Violent crime rose by 15,447, or nearly 8.7%, from April to December 2004 compared to the previous year.

In their amendment to the budget the Lib Dems will propose that extra money for the Met and Transport for London to help tackle crime.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly group, Graham Tope, said:-

"These new figures are deeply worrying. London's new crime figures are not good news either for the politicians in charge, or for Londoners. In a city where recorded violent crimes now account for a quarter of all offences, there is a huge amount of work to be done.

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

" We need to see real action on the streets through increased visible policing, improving streetlighting, tackle binge drinking violence and better relations with local communities. Without this, there is a real danger that violent crime could continue to rise."

ENDS

Notes to editor

The table is taken from Monthly Performance Information prepared for the Metropolitan Police Authority Full Authority Meeting and set to be discussed on Thursday 27th January 2005 and can be received by e-mailing [email protected]