CRIME in Greenwich has fallen by six percent in the past year with burglary and robbery at a 12 year low, according to a police report.

There were a total 1,357 fewer offences recorded in the borough between April last year and March this year compared to the previous 12 months, figures collected by the Met show.

Greenwich’s top cop says the drop in crime is thanks to eagle-eyed members of the public as well as the hard work of police with "proactive" targeting of issues such as burglary and robbery.

Greenwich borough commander Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Wood said: "We have increased our focus on proactive policing around these kind of offences.

"Specialist officers respond to all allegations of robbery across the borough in order to conduct a prompt initial investigation within ‘the golden hour’.

"The fall in crime in Greenwich comes not only from the hard work of police but with the valued work of our partners and our relationship with the community."

Crimes from burglary to serious violence decreased with a total 22,435 recorded for 2011/12 compared to 21,078 this year.

The report shows the number of robberies has plummeted by 64 per cent since it peaked at 1,383 in 2006 to 2007. It now stands at 497– also down by 27.7 per cent from last year.

Burglaries dropped by 36.5 per cent from 3,576 in 2008 to 2009 to 2,268 with 275 fewer residential burglaries reported this year compared to 2011/12.

Vehicle theft also went down by 11.3 per cent with 77 fewer crimes reported this year from a total 688 in the previous 12 months and an 11 per cent drop in theft from cars and other vehicles.

Chief Superintendent Wood said: "Our dedicated burglary team has been particularly successful this year, with many burglars caught and brought to justice.

"Forensic links between criminals and their scenes of their crimes means we are immediately out looking for them, sometimes undercover, until we catch them."

He gave tips to make a burglar’s life difficult including hiding keys away from doors so they cannot be ‘fished’ through letter boxes and keeping any valuables out of sight.

Mr Wood went on to praise members of the public for their help in catching criminals – some of whom are up for police commendations after hindering fleeing burglars.

Two burgling brothers who targeted Abbey Wood and Charlton were caught following a resident’s quick noting of their registration number earlier this year – one has now admitted to 25 burglaries in Greenwich and Bexley.

Meanwhile, a team of thieves were recently swooped on after Greenwich residents called 999 to report suspects trying to enter properties.

Greenwich Council Violent and Organised Crime Unit (VOCU) also claims responsibility for the fall in crime with the unit recovering £17,000 from criminals this year as well as a class A and B drug haul worth more than £700,000.

The VOCU – which targets those involved in youth violence and knife crime – has also made a total of 301 arrests this year and made dents in local drug dealers’ networks with 15 recent arrests for possession of drugs with intent to supply.

Leader of Greenwich Council Councillor Chris Roberts said: “The council’s on-going financial support for the VOCU which has arrested over 310 individuals and delivered 259 convictions across a wide range of offences is a major part of the success in helping to reduce crime in the Royal Borough. 
 

“These significant falls are very welcomed and demonstrate the hard work and commitment of our local police officers, working in partnership with the council to proactively disrupt organised gangs and tackle their criminal activity head on.

“There are no victimless crimes and the effects of crime are damaging often long lasting. 

"With substantially fewer crimes taking place across the Royal Borough, local people are better protected from the harm and devastation that crime can bring.”