AN Enfield police chief has vowed to improve the borough's crime levels after figures announced this week showed massive increases in key offences.

The Home Office published comprehensive annual statistics last Wednesday for the year up to April 2002 which show that Enfield has experienced considerable increases in five of the main crime areas assaults, sex offences, robberies, car thefts and residential burglaries.

Across London there was a similar story, but the Metropolitan Police claim that since February, and the introduction of Operation Safer Streets, the trend has been reversed.

A spokesman blamed the increases, especially the rise in street crime, on too high a workload for officers, brought on by, amongst other things, being involved in counter-terrorist action following the attacks of September 11.

Enfield's deputy borough commander 3uperintendent Sultan Taylor said: "Those figures are a little bit historic as in the last few months Enfield has had a proactive approach in all aspects of crime, especially robbery and burglary.

"I am more concerned about the last few months, when we have had a drive against robbery, and we are also attacking burglary.

"This borough is not going to tolerate people being robbed in the street and we will take necessary action."

Superintendent Taylor highlighted several initiatives which have been put in place since April that he believes will help to cut crime in the borough.

These included a partnership week, increased emphasis on pushing for maximum penalties and not giving prisoners bail, and also a higher number of police officers the most the borough has had in a year.

He also believes that public confidence in the police is growing, which has meant more people coming forward with information about criminals.

Superintendent Taylor is hopeful that next year's figures will be very different. He said: "I am optimistic for the future and appreciative of the community's support."

The complete figures for the six key offences are:

Assaults 2000/2001: 4,798; 2001/2002: 5,077. An increase of 5.8 per cent.

Sex offences 2000/2001: 256; 2001/2002: 296. An increase of 15.6 per cent.

Robberies 2000/2001: 1,163; 2001/2002: 1,292. An increase of 11.1 per cent.

Burglaries 2000/2001: 2,137; 2001/2002: 2,800. An increase of 31 per cent.

Vehicle thefts 2000/2001: 1,928; 2001/2002: 2,133. An increase of 10.6 per cent.

Thefts from vehicles 2000/2001: 3,264; 2001/2002: 3,003. A decrease of 8 per cent.

July 18, 2002 17:00