Burglaries have fallen in a ward known as a hotspot area for the crime after months of targeted action.

Chadwell ward had the highest levels of burglary in London earlier this year and an area committee five meeting in March saw Pc Katie Boreham admit that “pretty much every street” had been targeted.

However, since Redbridge police increased their action in the area, the crime has fallen. From February 26 to March 20 there were 23 burglaries in the ward and the same figure from March 26 to April 20. But from April 22 to May 20, there were four burglaries and then three burglaries in the period May 6 to May 20.

The latest figures, for the week of May 13 to 20, show there was just one burglary in the ward.

Measures have included officers from outside Redbridge patrolling the area too, the use of automatic number plate readers, intelligence-led targeting of offenders and officers offering crime prevention advice to residents.

Det Supt Ellie O’Connor said: “My officers have worked hard to achieve these excellent results. However, we are not complacent.

“Chadwell remains our daily and long-term focus and primary target.

“Security advice is available to residents and I would encourage them to take up this offer by contacting their neighbourhood policing team.

“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for people to call us when they see something suspicious. Call 999 and we will come.”

During March’s area committee meeting, statistics given to councillors showed from February 2013 to January 2014 there had been 211 break-ins in Chadwell ward; up almost a third on the previous year.

The following week, a spokesman for Redbridge Council said that the safer communities partnership was “committed” to tackling the issue.