Crime in Hackney Downs has fallen by more than 20% in the last year following a two-year high last October, Metropolitan Police data reveals. Local councillors and police believe the decline is due to a programme of targeted patrols in the ward.
Criminal offences committed in Hackney Downs reached their highest level in two years during October 2018, with a total of 139 offences reported to the police. A spike in April prompted local police to begin targeted patrols over the summer, leading to a 23% drop in crime in the ward.
Councillor Anna-Joy Rickards praised cross-community and police efforts, saying: “Wider communication between residents and the police have helped build relationships and will ensure further improvements.”
Robbery offences were among many crimes to decline when compared to the same month in 2018. In September 2018, a total of 13 offences were committed, compared to just three in September 2019.
Dylan Patel, Safer Neighbourhoods ward officer for Hackney Downs said: “since April 2019, weapon offences have been very low – with no occurrences on multiple months, and a maximum of two offences on others.
“Hackney has the fastest response time for the police in all of London, of 15 minutes.”
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