Violent crimes on the increase

10:44am Tuesday 16th October 2001

Violent crime in Barnet has increased by more than a fifth in just three years.

The results of Barnet's current crime audit were announced at last week's community safety conference at the Peel Centre in Aerodrome Road, Hendon.

Chief Superintendent Sue Akers, of Barnet Police, said: "The rise in violent offences is quite a disturbing statistic and we have a strong policy on it. The message is quite clear, don't come into Barnet and carry a knife and expect to get away with it."

Reported crime in the borough is also up by 18 per cent since 1998. Street crime rose by 40 per cent with thefts of mobile phones now making up half of these offences. Residential burglary fell slightly by 0.4 per cent since 1998, but there were still 2,653 burglaries committed in that period, costing the borough about £421million per year.

Speaking at the conference, Barnet Council's chief executive Leo Boland said: "Barnet is a safe place to live and work and we have to get this message across. The fear of crime is one of the greatest concerns of living in this city."

However, Chief Supt Akers, of Barnet Police, said the council, in partnership with the police, was taking steps to make the borough safer. She said: "We have a very effective neighbourhood watch system and help our vulnerable victims with the Barnet Boot." c

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