Andrew Dismore

Commenting on a new report which shows Barnet to be the most burgled borough in London with Camden ranked fifth, Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden   Andrew Dismore AM  today called upon the police to do more to deal with the scourge of burglary in is constituency.

(report link http://www.approvedindex.co.uk/cctv-cameras/london-burglary-statistics)

Mr Dismore said:

‘These sad statistics come as no surprise to local people who are fed up with the title of burglary capital of London.

‘The Mayor’s new Police and Crime Plan is due to be published imminently, and I hope that he and the Deputy Mayor have heard clearly that in the plan, this serious crime must be a local priority for both boroughs.

‘Having suffered burglaries myself in the past, I know how distressing and unsettling it can be to find  your home invaded by criminals in this way. It is not just the loss of personal property   that matters , it is also the significant impact on your sense of personal security in the place that should be the safest for you.

‘The annual cost of burglary to Barnet residents is estimated at a massive £7,620,770; but that only tells half the story, as the sentimental  value of a lost heirloom or  the inconvenience of a lost  computer is worth far more.

‘Even at a time of stretched resources due to Government  cuts, the police need to work harder to catch the perpetrators  of these crimes; and the courts need to ensure those convicted get the sentences they deserve’