Town centre pubs are a magnet for violent crime, with Clapham Junction, Tooting and Wandsworth the hardest hit.

And alcohol is a major factor in criminal damage and street brawls, new figures reveal.

The figures form part of the new Crime and Disorder Audit Report. This annual report measures crime across the borough and is used by the police and council to plan where to focus resources over the coming year.

The report shows the amount of violent crime in Wandsworth fell last year, and Wandsworth suffers less than other inner London boroughs.

But as well as pubs, council estates are a hot spot for violence, with the Alton, Patmore, Surrey Lane, Kambala and York Road estates suffering problems.

Wandsworth says that together with the police it has put in force a package of measures to tackle the problem, including a new council unit to tackle anti-social behaviour from tenants and a Pub Watch scheme that organises annual awards.

Cabinet member for environment and public services Councillor Guy Senior said the police and council are working closely together to tackle the problem.

"We are determined to stamp out this behaviour by working to support the management of licensed premises that are run responsibly and take concerted action against those that are not," he said.

December 7, 2001 12:01