Harrow: Street crime has rocketed as officers called to 'anti-terrorist' duty in central London leave the borough vulnerable.

Recent figures have shown that Harrow has suffered the biggest rise in muggings in the capital as the number of offences surged by 161 per cent last month to 107 offences.

This time last year there were only 41 street robberies in the borough following initiatives launched by Harrow Police to target offenders.

But since September 11, the Metropolitan Police Service has activated an immense operation to protect sensitive buildings such as the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street and Canary Wharf.

The initiative, code-named Operation Calm, has led to hundreds of officers from the borough normally involved in fighting day-to-day crime such as street robbery being deployed on the streets in high visibility patrols.

Superintendent Alex Fish said Harrow has lost at least 700 police shifts to central London since the tragedies in New York and Washington where terrorists hijacked three passenger planes and crashed them into the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.

"We have to remember that this time last year we had operations in place which were specifically targeting street crime.

"We are not doing that this year. However, I do agree that the rise is partly due to the number of Harrow's officers who are on patrolling duties in central London. We have lost approximately 700 police shifts to central London since September 11."

He added that efforts are being made to lower street crime but it was a 'question of trying to get a balance'.

Today (Nov 22) Kay Burley, Sky News presenter and local resident, will anchor a special all-day Safer Harrow Conference at Eastmans Hall, Kodak Recreation Ground in Harrow View.

Senior police chiefs, government representatives, councillors, stakeholders and council officers are expected to attend the event where the results of the Harrow Crime Audit will be revealed.

A new three-year Crime Reduction Strategy will be thrashed out while the Harrow Partnership will launch a unique audio CD which provides community safety information and services.

The CD will be attached to the Winter edition of Harrow People and delivered free of charge to every household in the borough.

To obtain a copy contact the press office at Harrow Council on 8424 1850.

November 22, 2001 12:30