The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Rising crime: a new headache for the coalition

Burglaries, robberies and muggings in London increase for the first time in years.

By George Eaton Published 29 June 2011 10:53

To the coalition's list of woes, we can now add rising crime. In London, burglaries, robberies and muggings have all increased for the first time in years, even before the full force of the government's police cuts are felt. Figures from the Met show that burglaries in London rose by 18.5 per cent from 4,410 in May last year to 5,228 this May, robberies by 15 per cent from 3,257 to 3,749; and thefts of and from vehicles by 6 per cent to 9,299. It's all fertile PMQs material for Ed Miliband.

Significantly, as today's Times reports (£), police chiefs outside London believe this is the start of the long-anticipated recession crime wave. One chief constable tells the paper: "We are just about holding the line, but there are clear signs that burglary and robbery are on the turn."

Labour, ever eager to challenge the Tories' reputation as the party of law and order, has been quick to respond. Yvette Cooper said: "Cutting police budgets by 20 per cent means 12,000 police officers are being lost including 1,800 in the Met alone. Crime fell by 40 per cent in the last twelve years, but that progress was hard won and it is now being put at risk." So far, David Cameron and Theresa May have insisted that their cuts will have no effect on the delivery of policing but a rise in crime would instantly discredit this claim.

Ministers, one expects, will argue that rising crime is inevitable in these austere times. But it's not an argument that they ever accepted from Labour when in opposition. A surge in crime, as David Cameron will be all too aware, could yet provide a focus for public anger.

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Tags: Crime

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7 comments

Wed, 2011-06-29 13:36 — tuttifrutti (not verified)

Also, I notice that Ken Clarke has been in the news today saying he wants to clear up the law that it is ok to stab a burglar and you won't be prosecuted. Perhaps this is their policy on crime/burglary. Taking the big society a little far though.

Wed, 2011-06-29 14:02 — Lou (not verified)

Indeed tuttifrutti.

Ken just refuses to engage brain before opening mouth but then that's quite typical of the coalition thus far.

All we will get now is burglars going equipped with something other than a balaclava and a holdall for the swag just in case the property owner is in and armed with a poker or they're confronted by grandma wielding a knife.

Wed, 2011-06-29 21:39 — Lou (not verified)

Re the bail ruling upheld by the High Court, I've just watched a solicitor on C4 news saying that it only applied to a very few cases, wouldn't mean the public were at risk and that the media was hyping it up. I disagree and take issue that the effect of this ruling is insignificant and affects a small minority.

People are bailed until further information is ascertained, charges are bought or the CPS says there is enough evidence to prosecute. In child protection,just to use one example, evidence is presented to the police regarding a child protection matter be it physical or sexual abuse or neglect, an investigation is undertaken and the alleged offender is interviewed and bailed pending further investigations or referral to the CPS who take months to decide if there is a case for prosecution.

Is 96 hours a reasonable time for such investigations to be made, is 96 hours enough time for the CPS to decide if there's a reasonable chance of a successful prosecution and determine that charges can be bought? Are children enough of a small minority for this ruling not to matter and how exactly are the police and child protection officers and social workers supposed to protect our children?

Wed, 2011-06-29 11:32 — Robert Taggart (not verified)

Do these figures include Ms Mays wardrobe ? !

Wed, 2011-06-29 12:11 — Nigel wootton (not verified)

Cameron and May's Police cuts are already leading to soaring robbery and burglary in London. The Tories always present themselves as the party of Law and Order, which is always sham and a lie. Theresa May is to crime prevention, National Security and women's rights what Frank Spencer on roller skates is. Some mothers do 'ave 'em.

Wed, 2011-06-29 12:36 — Gareth Thomas (not verified)

Not to defend the Tories but its also increasing here in Scotland, Edinburgh recorded a big increase in murders.

Wed, 2011-06-29 12:53 — Lou (not verified)

The court ruling on bail isn't going to help then is it. The courts have ruled that someone can only be bailed for a maximum of 96 hours as opposed to the weeks or months as currently happens. This requires tens of thousands of people currently on bail to be reviewed with immediate effect, presumably there's now a potential for a vast number of people bailed longer than that period to now sue the police, the government and not be pursued properly and legally for any charge that may have been pending?