Incidents have more than doubled in some local wards over last year
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There has been a massive rise in robberies in Acton according to figures released by the Metropolitan Police.
In some wards in the number of these crimes up to July has more than doubled in the last year. South Acton is one of the worst hit areas seeing an increase of 152% with the Ealing Common area hit by a 167% rise. In Acton Central the increase was 44% These increases are far higher than for the London Borough of Ealing as a whole where robberies have risen by around a quarter.
It is believed that part of the rise can be attributed to moped enabled crime which has seen a marked increase across the capital with mainly younger males with face masks and plates removed from bikes using them to commit crimes. Some critics of the police say new guidelines on pursuit of suspects on mopeds which place greater restrictions on operations have resulted in the increased prevalence of this kind of crime.
Earlier this month the police issued a Section 60 notice for the Borough of Ealing. This gives police constables in uniform the power to stop and search persons or vehicles within a locality, without the requirement of suspecting the person is committing or has committed an offence. This wide-ranging power can only be authorised by a senior police officer, and only in certain circumstances. The order also gives police the power to require face coverings to be removed. It is not known whether this move is related to a crackdown on robbery suspects.
| Change in Crime (%) in Year to July 2018 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area/Ward | Overall | Robbery | Violence against the person |
Burglary |
| Ealing Borough | -1.1 |
24.6 |
2.7 |
2.2 |
| Acton Central | -5.7 |
43.8 |
3.7 |
25.6 |
| Ealing Common | 4.7 |
166.7 |
8.0 |
3.7 |
| South Acton | 6.3 |
152.2 |
1.2 |
-15.6 |
| East Acton | -3.5 |
12.2 |
2.5 |
-6.3 |
| Southfield | -9.1 |
8.1 |
-6.1 |
23.7 |
Source Metropolitan Police
A spokesperson for the police in Ealing told us, "Unfortunately there has been a rise in robberies across the Met. The West Area's response is by employing our proactive team who are focusing on tackling this crime type. An example of this is that we have recently had a male convicted for committing eight violent robberies, who is due to be sentenced next month."
Conservative Mayoral candidate and Ealing Hanger Hill Councillor, Joy Morrissey, said:
''
It's hugely concerning that burglaries, along with almost every other measure of violent crime, is on the rise in Ealing and across London. It's clear that we need to focus resources on the front line and ensure police are on the beat in communities. Right now, too much time and money is being put towards expensive administrative bodies like MOPAC, where I believe savings of £32 million can be made. We need to get police back on the front foot in the fight against criminals."
We asked local MP Rupa Huq for comment but have not received a response.
August 30th ( updated September 3) 2018
