Targeted areas of Bromley are benefitting from less crimes such as arson, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour since a new initiative was launched.

The two year initiative, which is funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), aims to reduce lawbreaking in Cray Valley, Mottingham and Penge.

There was a 46 per cent reduction in arson attacks from when the initiative started in April 2017 until January 2018.

These statistics were announced at a Community Impact Day on Wednesday (March 14).

Bromley Council, the Metropolitan Police, the London Fire Brigade and Clarion Housing are working together with other organisations as part of the crime prevention scheme.

London Fire Brigade Bromley Borough Commander Terry Gooding said: “Our everyday work is not simply about responding to emergency incidents but it is also about carrying out preventative work. This work includes advising people of how to reduce the risks of fire.

“Through the Partnership work at the MOPAC Community Impact days we have seen a reduction in arson incidents in the wards targeted. This reduction has enabled us to dedicate more time to other initiatives aligned to making the communities across Bromley safer.”

Since the initiative - there has been 310 reports of anti-social behaviour in the targeted areas, which is a reduction of 29 per cent.

Councillor Kate Lymer, executive councillor for public protection and safety, said: “These are real issues for local people which may not seem high priority but by tackling them, we’re also hoping to see reductions in more serious crime too.

“I am pleased that our holistic approach is proving to be successful, which demonstrates the strength of the Safer Bromley Partnership. We are only part way through this latest initiative and I am optimistic that we will see these early positive results sustained over the longer term.”

Bromley Council has urged witnesses to environmental crime to report it to www.bromley.gov.uk/envirocrime