Redbridge burglaries rocket as police pledge action
Extra police officers are being deployed to Redbridge to help counter an unexpected spike in burglaries.
Across the borough, burglary rates have rocketed, with borough commander Det Ch Supt Sue Williams saying the extra resources provided by the Metropolitan Police Service will be available for “as long as necessary to deal with this recent surge in burglary”.
The borough has now become a part of Operation Target, a crackdown on crime against people and property in parts of London classed as vulnerable to those types of crime.
Mrs Williams said: “Based on three years worth of data, I had planned for a seasonal rise in November.
“However, this predicted rise came earlier than anticipated, so I have brought all my plans forward including the joint partnership initiatives and media campaigns.”
You may also want to watch:
There has been a more than eight per cent increase in the number of residential burglaries in Redbridge in the 12 months to October compared to the same period last year, with a total of 63,194 offences.
Non residential burglary is also up more than four per cent in the same period, with 32,954 offences.
Most Read
- 1 Restaurant faces losing licence after allegations of illegal club nights during pandemic
- 2 Restaurant stripped of its alcohol licence
- 3 'A race against time' - 18,000 people in Redbridge have received Covid jab
- 4 Little Gearies development plans pass following hours of discussion over Barkingside estate
- 5 NHS nurse assaulted at east London hospital
- 6 Covid deaths increase at Queen's and King George hospitals this week
- 7 Queen's and King George hospitals appeal for volunteers to support end of life patients
- 8 Political fight as council shifts money away from opposition party
- 9 Need for Frenford Foodbank won't end when pandemic does, say volunteers
- 10 Residents furious after car park and lift flooded since before Christmas
Robbery against the person has risen by almost 15 per cent in the last 12 months, with 35,923 cases reported to police.
Mrs Williams said: “I have re-organised my CID and focused all my staff on burglary as a priority with the emphasis being placed on ‘making Redbridge a hostile environment for criminals’.
“I have met with our partners and encouraged them to take whatever action is necessary in support of this initiative to ensure that offenders are not welcome on this borough.”
She added officers are using CCTV footage and car numberplate recognition technology to identify and track offenders, with 666 suspects arrested in October.
Appealing directly to residents Mrs Williams added: “If you see anything unusual in your area please report it.
“Speak to your delivery persons, window cleaners, postmen and utility workers so that they too can be aware and report to us anything they see that is out of the ordinary. Everyone has a part to play in keeping our borough safe.”
