The number of burglaries has risen in area two over the last year compared to a drop in Redbridge as a whole with Supt Stewart Hill moving to ensure residents police are tackling the problem.

The area two committee meeting in Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford Green, on Tuesday of last week was themed around crime and public safety following concerns about increases in burglaries and vehicle thefts.

The borough saw 181 fewer burglaries between August 2011 and July 2012 but area two, comprising the four wards of Bridge, Church End, Monkhams and Roding, had an increase of 25 burglaries.

Burglaries in a dwelling went up by 44 to 492, accounting for 17 per cent of all Redbridge burglaries.

But Supt Stewart Hill told the meeting: “My main focus is to target the burglary problem and all my staff are focused towards that goal.

“Every burglary is discussed at senior management level and we’re aware on a daily basis of how many are committed.”

He highlighted a recent cross-borough initiative, using Essex, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest officers out of Barkingside to target burglars, and Operation Castle, which is targeting known burglars in the run-up to Christmas.

In total, area two saw 124 more serious acquisitive crimes, which includes robbery, burglary and taking of motor vehicles year-on-year, up to 1,345.

The meeting also heard about measures being taken to combat bogus doorstep callers.

Alan Drake, Redbridge Council’s head of community protection and enforcement, said: “It ranges to the extreme where people turn up with only one intention - to fleece you of whatever they can.”

Area two has nine calling restricted zones to deter bogus callers and 350 anti-caller sticker packs were distributed in Bridge ward in September.

Following a query by Cllr Hugh Cleaver, acting Insp Chris Chandler said more was being done to let new residents know about the restricted zones.

The role of neighbourhood watches in combating crime in the area was also praised.