London crime at an eight-year low

Met Police crime figures

Crime in London has dropped to its lowest level for eight years, according to Metropolitan (Met) Police figures.

Figures show crime in the capital fell by 6.3% in the 12 months to the end of March, to 921,779 offences.

The number of murders fell by 3.6% with gun/knife crimes (-11.3%), sex attacks (-9.6%), and burglary (-6.6%) down.

Met commissioner Sir Ian Blair said while it was "good news", more needed to be done and "youth violence is going to be a priority for the next year".

Important result

Despite it being the fourth year in a row that crime has fallen in London Sir Ian said this was not the public perception.

"There's just too much crime all together and the public will have a perception shaped by the dreadful murders that have happened recently, he said.

The figures were released following the deaths of eight teenagers in London, since January, in a spate shootings and stabbings.

Sir Ian said: "An important positive result for us this year is that gun and knife-enabled crime are down and murder numbers are stable.

CRIME STATS Murder down 3.6% Rape down 3.9% Other sexual offences down 11.3% GBH down 6.2% ABH down 7.3% Racist crime down 11.9% Homophobic crime down 8.5% Domestic violence down 9.4% Vehicle crime down 5.8% Criminal damage down 6.9%

"However, each of the worrying number of recent attacks involving young people is a tragedy and we are determined to do all we can to tackle these crimes and to work with others to find lasting solutions.

"We have got to get on top of this issue because that's what the people of London need," he said.

The statistics showed that robbery against the person was unchanged but drug offences were up 26.4% and robbery overall rose 1%, with robberies against businesses up 17%.

Racist, homophobic and domestic crimes were down as were motor vehicle offences.

A public attitude survey carried out on behalf of the police force shows 74% of people feel safe walking alone in their area after dark.

The poll also shows 61% have confidence in London policing but only 44% see a uniformed police presence at least weekly.