30.05.13
‘Lowest ever’ crime rate for TfL
TfL has reported the lowest ever rates of crime across its network, down 2.3% on 2011/12.
There is now a rate of 8.9 crimes per million passenger journeys, 802 fewer offences than in the previous year. The rate of robbery has fallen by 17.6%, criminal damage down by 15.7% and violence against individuals by 6.8%.
London Underground and the Docklands Light Railway saw crime rise by 5.7% compared to the year before, but the rate of crime remains at 9.6%, the lowest ever level. London Overground saw a rise on crime by 18.3%.
TfL and the British Transport Police (BTP) have introduced measures to redeploy officers to theft hotspots, are running a crime awareness campaign and are targeting police enforcement activity.
Siwan Hayward, acting director (CSEP) Community, Safety and Enforcement, Policing, TfL, said: “Our transport network continues to be a safe, low-crime environment. Despite this we are not complacent and are putting in measures to effectively deal with the rise in theft on some modes of the network.
“We want all users of our services to travel safely and with confidence and we will continue to work with our transport policing partners to ensure the network remains safe.”
Commander Adrian Hanstock, MPS Safer Transport Command, said: “The successful partnership of the MPS Safer Transport Command, Transport for London and British Transport Police continues in its aim to safeguard the travelling public from criminals and to keep them safe whilst using London's transport network.
“Our ongoing programme of patrols and intelligence-led operations has clearly contributed to this drop in transport-related crime resulting in fewer victims of crime.”
BTP Chief Superintendent Paul Brogden said: “BTP officers are out patrolling the Tube every day to deter crime and deal with those who do offend.
“Plain clothes officers are highly trained in spotting the kind of body language and behaviour that shows someone is intent on theft.
“Operation Magnum launched just a few weeks ago to tackle theft and already we're arresting more offenders.
“We ensure anyone who is arrested for theft on the Tube is put before the courts as quickly as possible – custodial sentences are now the norm.”
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