Streets among safest in capital (From News Shopper)

Streets among safest in capital

9:00am Wednesday 30th August 2006

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STREETS in the Bromley borough are among the safest in London, according to recently released figures.

New ward-by-ward police data shows there were no street robberies at all in Darwin, which is in Downe, in the 12 months to July.

Nearby Shortlands ward is almost as free of street crime with just three muggings reported in the same period.

The total number of offences in both wards averaged less than one a day.

This is a stark contrast to Stratford and New Town in Newham, east London, which had 300 muggings in the 12 months to July, followed by 266 in East Walworth and 263 in Camberwell Green, both in Southwark.

There were only 339 crimes in total in Darwin and 337 in Shortlands for the whole 12 months.

Darwin ward councillor Peter Bloomfield said: "I am naturally very pleased about the figures.

"We will have to look at this carefully to see whether we can do something for other wards."

Ward councillor for Shortlands George Taylor said: "The ward's residents' associations are extremely active in terms of neighbourhood watch.

"This proves the point even though we are a relatively safe ward we are watching out for each other.

"About two years ago there was a survey about the most pleasant wards to live in and now we find Shortlands is also one of the safest."

Cllr Taylor, who is also the portfolio holder for public protection and safety, added: "We are moving forward in reducing crime in Bromley and also the perception of crime.

"Bromley is a relatively safe place to live but it needs to be safer.

"Every law-abiding citizen needs to feel our town centres are as safe as our safest wards."

Inspector Nick Stratford, who heads policing in the south of the borough, is pleased with the new figures.

He said: "Safer neighbourhood teams have improved policing visibility and provided better links with the community."

Total crimes across the borough have dropped 0.6 per cent compared to the same period to July last year.

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