New figures reveal that the Met Police fails to solve 90% of car thefts, raising concerns about crime in London
London: Car theft is becoming a real headache in the city. Recent stats show that a staggering 90% of these thefts go unsolved. It’s like the police are throwing their hands up in the air.
According to the Metropolitan Police, less than 1% of car theft investigations lead to charges. That’s the worst rate among all police forces in the UK. It’s pretty shocking, right?
Data from the Liberal Democrats reveals that out of nearly 9,000 car theft cases closed in just one quarter, almost 8,000 didn’t even have a suspect identified. That’s a huge jump from previous months.
And just when you think it can’t get worse, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was knighted recently, despite all these crime concerns hanging over him.
Across England and Wales, about 78.5% of car thefts remain unsolved. But in London, the numbers are even worse, with the Met seeing an 8.2% rise in thefts this spring compared to last year.
Lisa Smart from the Lib Dems said these numbers are alarming and make it seem like car theft is almost legal now. She’s calling for better support for victims who feel completely let down.
Only about 2.8% of car theft cases across the country end with someone being charged. And in London, it’s even lower at just 0.9%. That’s just crazy!
While car thefts are slightly down overall in England and Wales, the Met is seeing a record high. The Lib Dems are pointing fingers at both the Conservatives and Labour for not tackling this issue effectively.
Smart emphasized that victims deserve justice and safety, urging the government to step up and invest in local policing.
The Met Police acknowledged the impact of vehicle crime and said they’re working on it. They’ve got plans in place to tackle the rise in thefts and are collaborating with other forces to recover stolen cars.
They also suggest some tips for drivers to protect their vehicles, like using steering locks and keeping keys in signal-blocking pouches. It’s all about being proactive.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said he’s committed to solving more cases and improving vehicle security. He’s pushing car manufacturers to step up their game too.
Despite the challenges, Khan is investing in local policing, adding more officers to the streets to help tackle these issues. It’s a tough situation, but they’re trying to make London safer for everyone.
