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Robbery increases 80 per cent in two years, Met figures reveal
Flowers left in Nash Road following the death of Lyndon Davis. - Credit: Archant
Robbery numbers have increased by 80 per cent in the last two years, Met Police crime figures reveal.
Hasan Ozcan was stabbed to death in Abbey Road, next to the Gascoigne Estate. Picture: Met Police - Credit: Met Police
The increase covers the 12 months to March this year compared to 12 months from April 2016 to March 2017. In total there were 963 incidents.
In the 12 months to March there was a 23pc rise in burglaries compared to the previous year.
Between April 2017 and March 2018 there were 1,653 burglaries on homes and businesses, according to Met data released last Thursday.
The number of violent crimes – including harassment, assault and grievous bodily harm (GBH) – increased by 4pc from 6,124 in 2016-17 to 6,388 in 2017-18.
The parents of murdered teenager Hasan Ozcan with supporters outside of Barking Town Hall. Picture: KEN MEARS - Credit: Archant
And there were four murder investigations launched in Barking and Dagenham between April 2017 and March following four deaths.
The figures also show there were 481 sexual offences in the borough between April 2017 and March 2018, 200 of which were rapes.
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The Met’s asst commissioner Martin Hewitt said: “We continue to experience a challenging time against the backdrop of significant cuts.
“I am very concerned about the rise, particularly murder, violent and knife crime.
Lyndon Davis died after being stabbed in Chadwell Heath. Picture: Met Police - Credit: Met Police
“My thoughts are with the victims’ families of these horrific crimes which have brought untold misery,” he added.
The Met said it was doubling anti-knife crime efforts with more officers patrolling communities.
“There are complex reasons why more young people carry knives. Knife crime cannot be solved only by the police. We need the help of communities who we know are behind us,” the assistant commisioner said.
The Met said it was tackling burglary by patrolling hotspots and carrying out operations against organised crime gangs. Moped crime was blamed for much of the robbery rise.
“Despite the challenges ahead, we continue to focus on bringing offenders to justice, making the streets hostile territory for criminals, supporting victims and working with communities,” he added.
Overall crime is up 6pc in the borough this year compared to the year before similar to the almost 6.5pc rise across the capital this financial year compared to last.
