CRIME IN WESTMINSTER An infographical guide to all you need to know about crime in the heart of London
Population: around 242,904
WHO DOESN’T LOVE WESTMINSTER?
The city of Westminster, centred in the heart of Greater London is a popular tourist spot. Aside from the number of large parks it includes many areas that are most associated with London such as, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliment, 10 Downing street, Palace of Westminster, Oxford St, Regent St, Piccadilly and the night time district of Soho.
BUT DID YOU KNOW...
Westminster is London’s most dangerous area with Islington falling in second place: Westminster has the highest crime rate not only in London but in the entire nation with 1,580 crimes reported per km2 in a year.
What if you think of Westminster like an iceberg...
Do you really know what goes on underneath?
High crime areas:
Dorset Sq Marlybone High st Bryanstone St James’s Hyde Park
Westminster
E C LI
TOTAL CRIMES COMMITED OVER A 12 MONTH ROLL TO OCTOBER 2016: 49,683
Crime is one of the biggest concerns for people living in Westminster. In a most recent survey, 36% of people said it was the most important issue for your local area.
Naturally, the reasons for crime vary depending on the type of offence and the relationship is often complex.
For example, when the economy declines, you might expect to see a rise in credit card fraud, where as assault is more closely linked to alcohol consumption. Drug abuse is also another well publicised factor, as is lack of education and unemployment.
Metropolitan Police recorded the number of crimes comitted in the borough of Westminster over the course of a year as well as recorded which crimes had been comitted the most. CCTV has become a big part of recording crime activity with cameras strategically placed across the city and links to local police and City Guardians.
There are 500,000 CCTV in Greater London alone Does it feel like Big Brother yet?
So just what types of crimes are comitted in Westminster?
TOTAL CRIMES COMITTED FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2016: 4,239
In the space of 31 days!
Number of crimes committed for October 2016
VIOLENCE AGAINST A PERSON * 983
ROBBERY *132
BURGLARY *282
GUN CRIME *9
MOTOR VEHICLE CRIME *329
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE *147 RACIST & RELIGIOUS HATE CRIME *91 HOMOPHOBIC CRIME *13 ISLAMOPHOBIC CRIME *7 ANTI-SEMITIC CRIME *1
Out of 938 violence against a person related crimes there has been: 31 rapes 66 other sexual
For robbery of a person: 126 Of a business: 6 Residential burglary: 114 Non-residential:168
Anti-Social Behaviour
Oct 15 - Sept 16
1342 15750
Crimes committed during: Year from October 15 - September 2016 Month of September 2016
Sept 16
Criminal Damage & Arson
Oct 15 - Sept 16
142 2131
Sept 16 t
16
Burglary
Oct 15 - Sept 16
249 3174
Sept 16
Theft From Person
Oct 15 - Sept 16
434 6274
Sept 16 t
16
Vehicle Theft
Oct 15 - Sept 16
288 3551
Sept 16
Bicycle Theft
Oct 15 - Sept 16
434 6274
Sept 16
Other Theft
Oct 15 - Sept 16
288 13 174
Sept 16
Shoplifting
Oct 15 - Sept 16
290 4203
Sept 16 t
16
Violence And Sexual Offences
Oct 15 - Sept 16
764 9270
Sept 16
Drugs
Oct 15 - Sept 16
163 1941
Sept 16 t
Public Order
Oct 15 - Sept 16
253 2613
Sept 16
Possession Of Weapons
Oct 15 - Sept 16
36 3 11
Sept 16 t
RATING OF CRIME POPULARITY:
THEFT FROM PERSON Worst crime type
ROBBERY Worst crime type #2
The police data figures reveal Westminster is effectively the drug crime capital of Britain.
Also high up on the national list was Hammersmith & Fulham, which had 9.4 incidents per 1,000 people, and Brent, with 8.7. That compares with the national average of 3.1 crimes per 1,000, and 4.9 across the capital. Westminster saw 2,644 incidents of drug offences recorded by police in 2014, and has an estimated population of 227,000, meaning 11.7 offences were committed per 1,000 people.
Drug offences per 1000 people
2644
12 recorded incidents of illegal drugs per 1,000 people in the borough. 17 cases of people being sent to prison for drugs offences in 2015 169 people were given a fine
POLIC
CE
What should you do with all this crime then?
The fear of crime can sometimes overshadow the problem of crime itself. Some people, particularly the vulnerable and elderly feel unsafe in their own homes, so here are a few tips to help draw the line on crime by staying safe and not giving criminals an opportunity to take advantage.
We all like to listen to music while strolling around the city, zone out from all the annoying things. But having headphones on and having it play too loudly can be dangerous!
So tip number one... Beware of wearing headphones They reduce awareness of your surroundings.
Belongings can be easily stolen, especially when you aren’t paying attention. KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS SAFE AND OUT OF SIGHT
* Don’t leave your bag unattended anywhere in London – this can lead to a security alert * Keep your purse or wallet close to your body and don’t carry too much cash * When using a cashpoint, check that no one is looking over your shoulder and that the ATM hasn’t been tampered with. Cover the keypad so no one else can see your PIN number * Keep your mobile phone, MP3 player, camera and other gadgets out of sight in your pocket or handbag when not in use
Only use taxis or registered minicabs.
Make sure you keep your property out of sight and safely under the table. Don’t accept drinks from strangers. Try to avoid walking alone at night. Keep to well-lit main roads
USEFUL INFORMATION
If you hear or see anything suspicious please don’t hesitate to report it! Emergency Services police, ambulance, fire department
Emergency
999 or
112
Contact your local police station on 101 for non-emergancy.