Surveys repeatedly show that crime is the biggest single concern of Londoners, with youth crime fast becoming the biggest fear across the country.

Shocking statistics show that murder rates among young people have risen in the capital over the last few years from seventeen young people killed in 2006, to alarming 30 in 2008.
The records, obtained by the Conservative MP for Putney in London, also show an 84% rise in teenagers aged between 16 and 18 suffering knife wounds in the capital, with 238 hospital admissions in 2007/08.

Further, some boroughs in London have continuously higher percentage of various criminal offences compared to others, according to statistics issued by the London Metropolitan Police.
The most recent annual reports issued by the LMP is for the financial year 2006/07, where the boroughs of Westminster, Southwark, Lewisham, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets and Camden are rating as the most crime affected boroughs.

The chart below includes these statistics categorized by type of crime in the financial year 2006/07 compared to the most recent statistics from May 2009.

 
For more detailed statistics on the crime figures and crime maps in the capital or any advice on crime prevention and safer neighbourhood visit http://www.met.police.uk/crimefigures/datatable.php

The facts show that we live in a city that can be very dangerous, especially in certain areas, and this calls for extra vigilance and awareness for our safety.

Below are some very useful suggestions issued by the London Metropolitan Police on how to avoid being a victim of crime in London.

• Think ahead and plan your journey, avoiding deserted areas.
• Try to avoid walking alone at night, and keep to well-lit main roads where possible. You should try to avoid short cuts like alleyways, waste ground and wooded, bushy areas.
• Stay alert: be aware of what's going on around you.
• It is always worth letting someone know where you are going, the route you intend to take and when you expect to return.
• Consider investing in a mobile phone. There are various services available for light users.
• Try to avoid wearing headphones - your ability to hear traffic, strangers or potential trouble is severely restricted.

Eli Markovska 16/08/09