THE latest nation-wide crime report released this week show a frightening 23 per cent rise over the last year for brutal crimes across the borough of Hounslow, that included murder, GBH, ABH, Common Assault, Harrasment and carrying an offensive weapon.

Last year, 32,842 crimes were committed in Hounslow, with over 1000 more brutal crimes being reported than in the previous year.

However, during the last quarter crime borough wide has fallen by 12 per cent, with Chiswick experiencing an 8% fall during the latest quarter - annulling the previous quarter's eight per cent rise.

Chief Inspector Wynne Jones, of Hounslow Police, put the yearly rise down to new crime logging and collating procedures, adding that he was pleased to welcome 17 new pcs to the borough.

Inspector Ged Boyer, the Sector Inspector for Chiswick said, whilst the overall reduction in crime is welcome, I am obviously concerned about the rise in burglary and vehicle crime in two wards of Chiswick. My staff will be concentrating on reducing crime levels in these wards over the coming weeks and months.''

In London overall, from April 2002 to March 2003 figures show that street crime has reduced by nearly 16 %, with over 11,000 fewer victims of street crime. Fatal shootings also fell by 16%, burglaries by 2% and there were 2,800 fewer car crimes reported. But the number of rapes and violent crimes in London has risen in the past year with a 9% increase in rapes and a 10% increase in violent crimes between April 2002 to March 2003.

Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Lord Toby Harris, said, the Authority is acutely aware that while crime figures are now falling, public perception and fear of crime remains alarmingly high, and we will continue to work closely with the Met to improve police visibility and public reassurance about their safety.''

May 1, 2003 16:00