Violent crimes, including those involving the use of offensive weapons, are up by more than eight per cent in Wandsworth.

Police figures for the period between April and September show there were 2,778 violent crimes 218 more than for the same period last year.

No single factor has been established to explain the rise.

Offences such as burglary and street crime, the latter of which has dramatically increased by 48 per cent this year, remain the borough's top priorities.

Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Martin Jauch said no area of the borough had been identified as a particular black spot' and no single type of violent crime had significantly increased compared to others.

"A rise of eight-and-a-half per cent is certainly unwelcome but Wandsworth remains one of the safest inner London boroughs. In most parts of the borough you are safe walking down the street at any given time but, like anywhere, this is not always the case.

"I am sure some of it is just an expression of modern society. Some people are more willing to use violence to solve their problems now than they used to be.

"It's part of our job to show this is unacceptable, but that's a long term goal which cannot be achieved overnight.

Chief Supt Jauch stressed areas around pubs and nightclubs were always more likely to experience greater levels of violence, especially around closing time.

He added Wandsworth's ethical crime reporting policy' where most reported incidents are added to the figures may partially explain the rise.

Cabinet member for the environment and public services Councillor Guy Senior said he hoped the new street warden scheme in Clapham Junction would lower crime figures, but he also blamed young people using violence when stealing mobile phones for the problem: "The main reason for the rise is the use of violence in places where there are lots of young people hanging around.

"We have parks police and other officers patrolling around schools at key times, but this is a problem everywhere."

November 12, 2001 12:32