New research shows that police are solving less crime since Boris became Mayor and that Newham is well below the UK average for solved crime. In Newham, 19% were solved in 2012/13 compared to the UK average of 27 per cent. This amounts to 81% unsolved crimes in Newham last year.
The police are also solving less crime compared to 2008/09 when Boris became Mayor. In Newham, 26% were solved whereas this year it was down to 19%
These revelations come at a time when fewer crimes are being reported to the police and when Newham has lost 44 police officers and 89 PCSOs since May 2010.
Local Labour London Assembly Member John Biggs said:
“It is shocking that overall reported crime is down yet the number of unsolved crimes in Newham is up to 81%. Boris talks big about reported crime going down, but so far he has ignored that the number of crimes actually solved on his watch has plummeted. Compared to the average in England and Wales, London is trailing on the number of crimes solved where we should be setting the gold standard.
“Since May 2010, in Newham the number of PCs has been reduced by 5% and PCSOs by a staggering 59%. Boris talks about getting more bobbies on the beat but the figures clearly show this is not happening.
“This proves Boris can’t have his cake and eat it. If you cut the police budget by as much as the Government has then there will be repercussions. Victim satisfaction in London is lower than elsewhere in the UK and this is not acceptable. The Mayor must act now.”
Ends