Latest TfL crime figures – more must be done on transport system crime

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Latest TfL crime figures – more must be done on transport system crime

By London Assembly Labour ⋅ December 22, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment
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The latest TfL crime figures show that on some parts of the transport system more needs to be done to halt a rise in violent crimes, with many offences up compared to the same period last year.

The figures, from the London 2011/2012 Crime statistics bulletin: Quarter 2 are being highlighted by Labour ahead of Boris Johnson’s latest inflation-busting fare increase which will hit millions of Londoners on January 3rd.

The latest TfL figures show:

* On London’s buses: From April – September this year there were 233 more robberies on buses (an increase of 19.8%), and 20 more sexual offences on buses (up 8%) compared to the same period of 2010.

* On the Underground and DLR: Compared to the same period in 2010, on the underground sexual offences rose by 12.8% and drugs offences by 18.4% between April and September this year.

* On London Overground: Overall crime on the London Overground has gone up by 44% compared to the same period last year. This includes a 68% increase in violence against the person offences, and a 48% increase in serious public order offences.

* On the Tramlink: Overall crime on the Croydon to Wimbledon Tram has gone up by 15% compared to the same period last year. Robbery offences have increased by 600%, and criminal damage offences are up by 33%

Labour’s transport spokesperson and Deputy Mayoral running mate, Val Shawcross said: “The least that Londoners can expect when they are paying so much to get around their own city is to be able to travel safely – yet these latest TfL figures show worrying increases in crime on public transport.

“Many parts of the transport system are very safe and we welcome any reductions in crime on the system, but where crime is rising – and particularly when Londoners are paying a lot more for the privilege – we need to see action. In a matter of days Londoners will be hit hard in the pocket again by Boris Johnson as he hikes up fares above inflation for the fourth year running. It’s unacceptable that while fares are rising so steeply, the mayor seems to be failing to get a grip of many aspects of safety on London’s tube, bus, rail and tram services.

“This is the wrong time for Boris Johnson to be cutting 1800 police officers in London. We need a greater uniformed policing presence on the streets and on public transport, not Tory cuts to the police.”

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