Crime Statistics 2010
- ...happy as crime figure plunges down, down: "I want to commend our hard working police force who work tirelessly to make our streets safer and I ask that we all work together to successfully fight crime in 2011."
- But Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin, although pleased, is cautious: "Whilst I am pleased by these reductions, the Met is not complacent and challenges remain in a number of important areas of our work.”
Vigilance can confirm authoritatively that latest crime figures released today, Tuesday 18 January, 2011 by the Metropolitan Police show crime in London has continued to fall.
Figures for January to December 2010 show year on year reductions - in particular gun crime which has fallen by 10.4 per cent in the capital since 2009 - which equates to 352 fewer offences.
The number of residential burglaries has also fallen, with 3,392 fewer burglaries compared to 2009. Over the past ten years the number of recorded residential burglary crimes has fallen by 13,163 offences - a reduction of 18.3 per cent.
The figures also highlighted reductions in many other areas in 2010, including violence with injury [down 5.8 per cent] road fatalities [58 fewer] race and religious crime [down 10.9 per cent] and domestic violence [down 5.2 per cent] and homophobic crime [down 4.8 per cent].
A total of 125 homicides were committed in 2010 - seven fewer than the previous year and making it the lowest annual figure since 1978 - a 30 per cent reduction compared to ten years ago.
Of the homicides investigated in 2010, approximately 80 per cent 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 has fallen substantially over the past ten years from 63,376 in 2000 to 26,475 in 2010 - a reduction of 58.2 per cent, however we are concerned there has been a 2 per cent increase in 2010 and are 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 per cent drop. Though we are pleased by this, we are aware there has been a 0.3 per cent increase in 2010 and again, we are working to decrease that figure.
Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin expressed his enthusiasm thus: "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.
"Whilst I am pleased by these reductions, the Met is not complacent and challenges remain in a number of important areas of our work. Serious youth violence rose by 3.1 per cent in 2010 - this figure corresponds with a rise in overall knife crime for the same period, which is up by 8.3 per cent. Knife crimes where a knife was used to injure are down by 3.3 per cent [140 offences] in 2010.
"I am committed to tackling the issues of serious youth violence and knife crime and I know that my officers will do all that they can to make the streets of London safer for everyone."
Other areas which we continue to focus our efforts on:
Rape rose by 647 cases in 2010 compared to 2009. We recognise rape and serious sexual offences continue to be under-reported crimes. We have a single dedicated Sapphire command to investigate every report and provide specialist victim support. Sapphire has commissioned some analysis to better understand the reasons for the increase in reported rapes so that we can continue to improve our response to victims.
Robbery is showing an increase of 7 per cent 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 - this represents a reduction of 32 per cent in the last decade.
Mr Boris Johnson Mayor of London noises this feat abroad: "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. However, the challenge of tackling violent youth crime remains, and whilst injuries by knives have fallen, there is no room for complacency.
"Operation Blunt 2 has taken 10,000 knives off our streets, and 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.
"I want to commend our hard working police force who work tirelessly to make our streets safer and I ask that we all work together to successfully fight crime in 2011."
And in another development, Australian police officials, whilst visiting New Scotland Yard yesterday, thanked and presented officers from the Metropolitan Police Extradition Unit with a plaque of thanks for assistance in a recent extradition case.
Vigilance reliably learnt that Australian Police traced wanted fugitive Philip Eric DeFigueido to Jersey. His extradition was sought in relation to a multi-million pound tax fraud. Following a lengthy contested legal process DeFiguerido's extradition to Australia was ordered but the process of returning him was not as straightforward as getting on the plane.
A police source told Vigilance that Extradition Unit officers were tasked with unravelling the complexities and legalities of bringing an extradition prisoner through the United Kingdom before eventually escorting the Australian officers and prisoner onto a plane set for Australia.
Richard Grant, Australia's National Target Development and intervention Manager presented DS Pete Rance with a commemorative plaque to express his gratitude that the fugitive was back in Australia where he would now face trial.
DS Pete Rance said: "Our work involves ensuring that any prisoner transit through London is dealt with properly to ensure that any such movement is legal and not subject to challenge. DC Jamie Derby and DC Neil Croucher worked tirelessly on this case and I am pleased that their work has been recognised and has assisted in ensuring that Russell De Figuerida has been returned to Australia for trial. The Extradition Unit works in partnership with international police forces on a daily basis and we work hard to develop and maintain those relationships. We have a relationship with the Australian authorities that is mutually beneficial."