Latest crime figures from the Metropolitan Police Authority show a further fall in almost every type of crime. Karen Buck says “Time to congratulate the police, stop talking crime up, and get on with the job that has still to be done- particularly around youth crime”.

• Overall crime is down by 6%- carrying on a longer term trend in crime reduction
• robbery is down by almost 20%
• knife crime has fallen by 15%
• violent crime is down overall by 8%

Westminster crime - Almost 3000 fewer Westminster residents were victims of crime in 2007/8 than in the year before.

What happens next?

There is still a job to do…
Every crime is one too many, and there is more to be done, especially in crime prevention, and working with young people to reduce violent crime by, and between them. Although the vast majority of young people are not involved in crime, this is clearly an area that needs more work, in terms of enforcement, the use of stop and search/stop and account powers to reduce the use of weapons, and diversion activities that keep young people occupied. Ken Livingstone’s grant to boroughs to develop youth services is a big step in the right direction, and needs to be supplemented by more work with schools, and more access to sports.

10,000 extra police in London did not happen by accident…
Ken Livingstone has put 10,000 more police officers on to the streets of London, and pledged another 1000 if he is re-elected. This reversed a decline in the numbers of police under the Conservative government.

Neighbourhoods under pressure need more attention…
Some neighbourhoods have higher crime levels than others- and this often mirrors levels of deprivation. I am concerned that higher crime and higher fear of crime in these areas- like Harrow Road and Westbourne- is not always reflected in levels of resources. I have been campaigning for months to get this recognised, and will carry on doing so.

Conservatives need to get their lines straight...
These figures leave the Conservatives divided. Whilst some of them are still talking crime up, others, including Conservative controlled Westminster Council, recognise the fall in crime- claiming in their service guide for 2008 that “ Crime reduction is an achievement- there was a fall in total crime figures last year, including a 6.8% fall in burglary”

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