Met Police statistics show the number of violent and sexual crimes in Lewisham are decreasing.

But burglaries in the borough are increasing, and often lead to violent crime, according to the borough commander.

In April last year, 75 violent and sexual crimes were committed compared to 56 in March this year in Lewisham central.

Bexley, Greenwich, and Lewisham borough commander Simon Dobinson was pleased with the reduction but said violent crime was still a top priority for local police.

He said there were a number of factors behind crime trends and crime in the borough.

“Burglary links to darker nights and things like that. We are seeing a trend in increases in burglaries across the south east of London, some of that is around organised criminality. Some is around opportunists – from those that will break in, opportunists at 3pm in afternoon, from those who say they are there to read your gas meter,” he said.

He said the police were linking their approach to burglary and violent crime because violence was often involved in burglaries.

“We have had a refocus around burglary and linked it in with our approach to violent crime. Looking at crime reports on robbery, there is a real risk of people suffering big injuries,” he said.

He said the police’s work to combat the increase in burglaries was both “overt in nature and covert in nature,” and included stop and search.

“Our use of stop and search identifies people carrying weapons and stolen items. Prior to a robbery or after the robbery, use of stop and search at the right place at the right time is a very effective way of countering that,” he said.

The increase in burglaries was reflected across the south East of London, Mr Dobinson said.