Figures for January to December 2010 show year-on-year reductions, most notably for gun crime (which has fallen by 10.4% in the Capital since 2009, in turn equating to 352 fewer offences).
The number of residential burglaries has also fallen, with 3,392 fewer burglaries in 2010 when compared to the previous year. Over the past ten years, the number of recorded residential burglary crimes has fallen by 13,163 offences (a reduction of 18.3%).
The published figures also highlight reductions in many other areas in 2010, including violence with injury (down 5.8%), road fatalities (58 fewer), race and religious crime (which is down 10.9%), domestic violence (down 5.2%) and homophobic crime (showing a decline of 4.8%).
A total of 125 homicides were committed in 2010. That’s seven fewer than the previous year, making this the lowest annual figure since 1978 (and representing a 30% reduction compared to ten years ago).
Of the homicides investigated last year, approximately 80% have seen charges brought, with many defendants awaiting trial and others already convicted. Enquiries continue to solve last year’s undetected homicides and bring those responsible to justice.
Theft of motor vehicles
Theft of motor vehicles has fallen substantially over the past ten years, from 63,376 in 2000 to 26,475 in 2010: a reduction of 58.2%. However, the Metropolitan Police Service is concerned there has been a 2% increase in such thefts across 2010 and is working hard to push that figure back down.
Theft from motor vehicles has fallen by 32,762 offences over the past ten years, which represents a 30.8% drop. Though the Met is pleased by this, it’s also well aware there has been a 0.3% increase in 2010. Again, work is ongoing to decrease that figure.
Commenting on the statistics, acting Metropolitan Police Service commissioner Tim Godwin said: “We have seen a significant drop in crime over the last ten years which represents our continued focus on tackling these offences and bringing criminals to justice.”
Godwin added: “While I’m pleased by these reductions, the Met is not complacent and challenges remain in a number of important areas of our work.”
For example, serious youth violence rose by 3.1% in 2010. This figure corresponds with a rise in overall knife crime for the same period, which is up by 8.3%. Knife crimes where a knife was used to injure are down by 3.3%, with 140 offences committed in 2010.
“I’m fully committed to tackling the issues of serious youth violence and knife crime,” said Godwin, “and I know that my officers will do all that they can to make the streets of London safer for everyone.”
Rape and robbery prevention
Other areas on which the Metropolitan Police Service continues to focus its efforts include policing to prevent rape. Rape rose by 647 cases in 2010 compared to 2009.
“We recognise rape and serious sexual offences continue to be under-reported crimes,” asserted Godwin. “We have a single dedicated Sapphire command to investigate every report and provide specialist victim support.”
Indeed, Sapphire has commissioned some analysis to better understand the reasons for the increase in reported rapes such that the Met can continue to improve its response service for victims.
Robbery is showing an increase of 7% in 2010. However, this is still 16,365 fewer offences than in 2001, which saw the highest number of robberies over the past ten years, with 51,376 offences (that represents a reduction of 32% in the last decade).
View from the Mayor of London
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has also had his say on the latest crime statistics.
“London now boasts the lowest murder rate since 1978, and our targeted policing operations have led to a huge reduction in gun crime and burglary,” said Johnson. “However, the challenge of tackling violent youth crime remains and, while injuries from knives have fallen, there’s no room for complacency.”
The Mayor added that Operation Blunt 2 has taken 10,000 knives off the streets. “I want to see even more weapons seized this year. People carrying knives need to understand they will be caught and that the consequences are severe,” asserted Johnson.
The Mayor also commended the Met as a “police force that works tirelessly to make our streets safer.
“I ask that we all work together to successfully fight crime in 2011,” he concluded.