Thirty incidents of personal theft were reported at the High Definition Festival last year, “skewering” crime figures for the ward.
There were 95 incidents of theft from a person during 2012 across area three, and 30 out of the 57 in Fairlop were during the one-day festival held in June.
Speaking at Wednesday’s area committee three meeting held in Hainault Forest Community Association, Manford Way, Hainault, Cllr Joyce Ryan said: “I was horrified by some of the crime figures, and the one that absolutely screamed out to me was personal theft in Fairlop.
“After reading this, I am more worried about this years festival. It has gone on for two years and the noise has been horrendous for residents, despite the work officers did.
“I think community events like this are great but they must be held in the right place.”
The committee heard that looking at the figures without including the thefts from the festival – held in Forest Farm, Forest Road, Hainault – brought Fairlop more in line with the 23 incidents reported in Fullwell and the 15 in Hainault.
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