Gun crime rise in South London

Thursday, 28 January 2010

By Nadia Gilani

GUN crime and sexual assaults have risen in South London over the past 12 months, police figures reveal.

The increase comes despite the total number of offences committed in Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Wandsworth falling, year on year.

In Wandsworth, “gun-enabled crime” offences recorded by the Met went up from 54 in 2008, to 139 in 2009.

Lambeth saw a 79 per cent increase in gun crime, with 269 offences in 2009 compared with 150 the year before.

In Southwark, there were 222 gun-related offences in 2009 compared with 146 in 2008 – an increase of 52 per cent.

Lewisham had the lowest rise of 38 per cent, with 212 gun crimes in 2009 compared with 153 the previous year.

A Met Police spokesman said: “The increase in gun crime continues to be a matter of grave concern and the subject of extensive and significant operational activity.”

The number of rapes increased by 33 per cent in Southwark, with 148 offences last year compared with 111 in 2008.

The number of sexual assaults also rose by 30 per cent in Lambeth with 179 offences in 2009 compared with 133 in 2008.

There were eight more rapes in Lewisham, with a total of 119 offences in 2009 compared with 111 the year before.

The police spokesman said the Met’s new Sapphire command unit would “increase accountability and consistency” in its investigation of rape.

The new figures, released in 15 categories, show that robbery also rose in three boroughs, but fell in Lewisham.

Recorded crime also dropped in several other categories including homicide – there were 29 murders in the four boroughs, compared with 37 the year before.

Commander Maxine de Brunner, who overseas London borough policing, said: “Overall, crime continues to fall, which is great news for London.

“In particular, reductions in homicide, youth violence and knife crime represent continuing success in tackling these serious offences.”

Email: nadia.gilani@slp.co.uk

For the full story, you can get a full online edition at www.slp-e-edition.co.uk

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