Concern that reduced staffing is leading to rising crime
Recent figures have shown that, after many years of steady decline, burglaries in Chiswick appear to be on the rise again and now stand at a much higher level than the average for the boroughand London as a whole.
In Turnham Green ward there were 19.4 burglaries per 1000 people in the year to April 2010 an increase of 41.4% on the previous twelve months. The rate for Hounslow Borough as a whole is 11.5 burglaries per 1000 people and this fell by 8.1% over the same period.
Chiswick Riverside ward saw an increase of 13.4% in the rate of burglaries to 12.3 per 1000 people. The only ward to see a fall was Chiswick Homefields but it remains at a level well in excess of the borough average.
Concerns have been expressed that reduced staffing may be leading to further increases in crime. Local Safer Neighbourhood teams seem to have been reduced in size recently. According to the Metroplitan Police web site the Chiswick Homefields Safer Neighbourhoods team currently comprises two Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who only have limited powers of arrest. The Turnham Green ward team is recorded as currently having one Police Constable and one PCSO.
Sentencing policy is also contributing to increased crime according to some local residents. Residents of Grove Park were angered recently when a prolific female burglar was released on bail only to allegedly commit further offences in the area.
We have asked Chiswick Police for a comment on the crime figures but have yet to receive a reply.
June 18, 2011
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