Local clear up rates for robberies lowest in the capital
Newly released figures have shown that muggers have a much greater chance of getting away with their crime if they commit it in Ealing. The borough has the worst clear up rate for robberies in the capital. Of the 1,886 such crimes committed in the area only 8.7% were detected.
The figures were released to parliament in the wake of the murder of Tom Ap Rhys Price in Kensal Rise. His killers were career muggers who had graduated up from petty crime to more violent offences.
A spokesperson for Ealing police said, "We are fully committed to reducing street robbery on Ealing Borough and we have had success. In the year 2001/02 there were over 2,100 recorded offences of street crime on the borough compared to 1,886 offences in 2005/06. These stats equate to a 10.5% reduction in offences and over 220 less victims. Street crime has always been a priority in Ealing Borough and at present it is our No. 1 priority.
"Police in the borough currently deploy a wide range of crime reduction tactics, which include covert policing. Stop and Search tactics on known offenders and increased uniform policing in robbery hotspot areas to increase public reassurance. They are actively targeting known drugs addresses, as they act as generators for crime and disorder in their areas. The rollout, ahead of schedule, of the Safer Neighbourhoods teams this year has increased the levels of visible policing."
There was a wide divergence in the success rates for neighbouring boroughs. Hammersmith and Fulham was the second worst in London only marginally above Ealing with 8.9% However, Hounslow was one of the best boroughs in London with more than double the rate of clear up. There were 783 robberies of which 149 were detected. One possible reason for the higher clear up rate is the active use made of the local media. Police officers recently praised the role of BrentfordTW8.com and ChiswickW4.com along with the local newspapers in keeping residents up-to-date on crime.
Robbery Clear Up Rates 2005/6
| Borough | Recorded | Detected | Detection Rate |
| Kingston upon Thames | 316 |
85 |
26.9% |
| Islington | 1,307 |
313 |
23.9% |
| Harrow | 828 |
178 |
21.5% |
| Hounslow | 783 |
149 |
19.0% |
| Bexley | 421 |
77 |
18.3% |
| Westminster | 1,518 |
274 |
18.1% |
| Richmond upon Thames | 424 |
74 |
17.5% |
| Merton | 587 |
100 |
17.0% |
| Bromley | 816 |
138 |
16.9% |
| Barking & Dagenham | 695 |
116 |
16.7% |
| Southwark | 2,791 |
456 |
16.3% |
| Sutton | 387 |
62 |
16.0% |
| Haringey | 1,919 |
281 |
14.6% |
| Brent | 2,247 |
312 |
13.9% |
| Enfield | 1,354 |
182 |
13.4% |
| Hackney | 1,778 |
228 |
12.8% |
| Havering | 393 |
50 |
12.7% |
| Redbridge | 1,249 |
152 |
12.2% |
| Tower Hamlets | 1,604 |
194 |
12.1% |
| Lambeth | 2,759 |
321 |
11.6% |
| Croydon | 1,711 |
196 |
11.5% |
| Camden | 1,212 |
138 |
11.4% |
| Greenwich | 1,145 |
125 |
10.9% |
| Hillingdon | 784 |
83 |
10.6% |
| Lewisham | 2,161 |
226 |
10.5% |
| Wandsworth | 1,565 |
156 |
10.0% |
| Kensington & Chelsea | 876 |
85 |
9.7% |
| Newham | 2,310 |
222 |
9.6% |
| Barnet | 1,131 |
108 |
9.5% |
| Waltham Forest | 2273 |
210 |
9.2% |
| Hammersmith & Fulham | 1,244 |
110 |
8.8% |
| Ealing | 1,886 |
164 |
8.7% |
December 14, 2006
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