ROBBERY, burglary and car thefts have all increased on last year, police revealed yesterday.

The number of robberies in the first three months from April are up 13.5 per cent, having previously dropped by 15 per cent, and residential burglary has risen by 8.9 per cent.

Car thefts are up by 39.5 per cent but gun crime has dropped by 30 per cent and knife crime by 5.7 per cent.

The figures come as Harrow prepares for the start of the Hindu celebration of Navratri, when thieves traditionally target Asian women whose custom is to put valuable jewellery on show.

Chief Superintendent Dal Babu, borough commander for Harrow, said: “These are first quarter figures. We are confident we will have an impact as we go through the rest of the year.

“We did have good crime reduction figures last year, I'm absolutely confident they were not exceptional. We are doing very similar things this year as last year.”

Mr Babu revealed the statistics at a community meeting last night where he also confirmed the police will have fewer resources to tackle the problem.

A Met wide recruitment freeze, designed to save money during tough economic times, has meant three PCSOs who left will not be replaced, and the trend will continue if more officers move on.

Police launched a crackdown on street crime, including robbery, over the summer with airport style metal detectors put up in the borough and raids on the homes of suspects.

Officers are now launching a new anti-crime drive intended to tackle robberies, thefts and burglaries over Navratri and other autumn religious festivals, as the days start to get dark earlier.

Officers are visiting temples to spread crime prevention advice, urging residents to:

  • Lock all doors and windows
  • Buy a safe for your valuables
  • Use a burglar alarm
  • Install time switches
  • Property mark and photograph your valuables Property marking fluid, known as Smart Water, is available for free from safer neighbourhoods teams to all house holds in the borough.

Sonoo Malkani, who chaired the meeting of the Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group, where the figures were released, backed the police safety message.

She said: “With all the gold and jewelery we are wearing at the moment we are pretty much sitting ducks if we don't do something about it.”

She added: “I think it's part of our tradition to wear these things but it's how you look after it.”

Gurudev Dr Rajeshji Parmar, of the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, in Palmerston Road, Wealdstone, has also backed the campaign, as have a Rajasthani dance group from Jaipur.