Ealing - Best Borough for Muggers


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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Safer Neighbourhoods Teams

Acton Central 020 8721 2921
Ealing Broadway 020 8649 3573
Ealing Common 020 8721 2948
East Acton 020 8721 2708
South Acton 020 8649 3574
Southfield 020 8721 2946

Or E-Mail to : ealingintelligence-xb@met.police.uk