Since May 2014, Lambeth has been the 'top' borough in London for violence against the person crimes, overtaking Westminster. For the year to July 2014, 7,937 crimes of this kind took place in Lambeth, up 17% on the previous year. The figures for Southwark were 6,911 (up 9%).
Lambeth police have had success in tackling burglary and robbery, with the rates of both in Herne Hill decreasing significantly over the last year. Given the increasing problems with 'violence against the person' and 'theft of/from motor vehicle' offences, these have been adopted as new priorities for the police in Lambeth.
At the Herne Hill Safer Neighbourhood Panel on 9 September we raised the question of why Lambeth has such high levels of violent crime. The view of the police was that this is due to gangs and inter-gang conflict. This has been a long-term problem in the borough, and is an issue that cannot be solved only by the police: it is an area where Lambeth Council seems to have fallen behind other councils, including Southwark.
In other respects crime in Herne Hill tends to be lower than in other of the central Lambeth wards. There have been some incidents of burglary around Brockwell Park, and some nuisance offences in the park. There have been some incidents of robbery (particularly of mobile phones) in the area around Ruskin Park, and the importance of safety awareness was emphasised.
The police have recently carried out traps on Herne Hill Road with a speed gun, and will also be covering Milkwood Road.
Nicholas Edwards
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