Hands: 'violent crime is rising across tube network'

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New crime statistics published by British Transport Police.

Greg Hands, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Hammersmith & Fulham, has expressed concern this week at new figures published by the British Transport Police that show violent crime has soared by 22.1 per cent across the London Underground network in the last year.

Public disorder offences also rose by a massive 47 per cent and sexual offences increased by 5 per cent.

Greg said: “We already knew that the state of public transport has worsened under this Government, despite soaring taxes. Not only have passengers faced worse services, new official figures reveal that passengers are at a greater risk of crime on the Tube than before."

The annual report of the British Transport Police was published on 24 August 2004. The report reveals that nationally in the year to 2003-04, overall crime rose by 2 per cent, criminal damage by 32 per cent and violent crime by 14 per cent. This follows from a 10 per cent rise in overall crime the year before and 6 per cent the year before that.

Greg added:“Government spin that soaring crime levels are due to greater levels of reporting doesn’t stick – given the crime detection rate for crimes committed on the London Underground is just 16 per cent, meaning 5 out of 6 criminals are never caught.

“Conservatives have already announced plans to deal with yob culture and crimes related to drink and alcohol. Society needs more discipline, decent values and respect. These latest statistics show how crime is out of control and is getting worse.”

The British Transport Police also failed to meet a number of its performance targets on reducing violent attacks and muggings.


August 29, 2004