The borough has suffered higher than average police cuts.
Burglary, domestic violence and business robbery have increased in Lambeth, leading to renewed calls for additional police to help protect traders and safeguard under threat women.
Lambeth Council has been leading the 100 More Police campaign in response to a steep decline in officer numbers on the borough, with City Hall figures showing a loss of 228 officers over the last three years.
Councillor Jack Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Neighbourhoods, said that when they started the campaign crime was falling.
“We know that safety is Lambeth resident’s number one concern so we were determined to maintain that downward trend,” he said.
“I fear these latest crime stats indicate the tide is turning and I am calling on the Mayor to provide the resources Lambeth needs to keep crime coming down.”
Between May 2012 and 2013, business robbery went up 9%, domestic crime rose 7.3% and non-residential burglary went up 15%. The figures also reveal there were seven murders in Lambeth over the last 12 months, two more than the year before.
“Lambeth has had bigger cuts than the London average and now we are seeing higher than London average rises in serious crime, including homicide which has gone up in Lambeth, but fallen in total across the capital,” added Councillor Hopkins.
To improve safety in the borough, the council is running the Lock It and Stop It campaign to prevent burglary, cracking down on under-age alcohol sales and running a series of campaigns to tackle violence against women and girls.
Photo courtesy of Pep Hernández, with thanks.
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