The brazen daylight robbery and assault of veteran broadcaster Selina Scott in Central London has reignited a fierce debate about the rising crime epidemic in the capital. The 74-year-old former ITN News anchor was attacked by an organised gang last week at a busy bus stop on Piccadilly, an area close to some of London’s most iconic landmarks like the Ritz and Leicester Square. Despite fighting back and retaining her backpack, Ms Scott was left shocked and traumatised after thieves unzipped her bag and stole her purse containing cash, bank cards, and driving licence.

Ex-Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley, known for his role on Channel 4’s Hunted, condemned the escalating crime situation, branding London a “crime-ridden cesspit”. He highlighted the Metropolitan Police’s overstretched capacity, particularly in central London, where private security firms have been enlisted to help fill policing gaps. Bleksley warned that the city, once a symbol of grandeur and security, has become “plagued” by pickpocketing, robbery, violence, and petty crimes – actively driving people and tourists away. He urged Londoners and visitors to avoid displaying expensive items like mobile phones, watches, or handbags in public areas, especially across the West End, for fear of becoming targets of violent criminals. According to him, such high levels of disorder are unprecedented in his memory, and this deteriorating public safety is fundamentally eroding confidence in the police.

This personal account from Selina Scott starkly highlights a broader trend unfolding across London. Official statistics reveal that nearly one million crimes were recorded city-wide over the last year, with a 2% increase compared to the previous year. Westminster emerges as the epicentre of this surge, accounting for over 91,000 crimes in 2024 alone—more than double the next highest borough. The borough’s numerous tourists, affluent residents, and bustling nightlife make it particularly vulnerable to theft and violence. Theft remains the most common offence, comprising tens of thousands of cases annually, alongside significant numbers of violent and drug-related crimes. Other boroughs like Camden and Kensington and Chelsea also report high crime rates, consistent with their vibrant cultural scenes and appealing lifestyles. At the other end of the spectrum, boroughs such as Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames boast comparatively low crime rates and remain the safest locales in the capital.

While London grapples with this surge in crime, comparisons with other major cities, both domestic and international, paint a complex picture. For instance, Greater Manchester, despite fewer observed crimes in absolute numbers, records a higher crime rate per capita than London. Notably, police forces in Manchester, under proactive leadership, have achieved an 8% reduction in crime in the last year, contrasting London’s rising trends. Internationally, ex-Detective Bleksley recounted feeling safer during recent visits to European cities like Rome, Milan, Naples, and Krakow—places often stereotyped for criminal underworlds—than he does in London. Part of this perceived security is attributed to higher police numbers; Italy, with a smaller population, fields roughly twice as many law enforcement officers compared to the UK, enabling a more visible and effective presence.

Political leaders have seized upon the incident and statistics to call for immediate reforms and increased funding to the Metropolitan Police. Conservative figures criticized London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s handling of policing, arguing that cuts and funding deficiencies have weakened law enforcement and emboldened criminals. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp condemned what he described as a culture of impunity among gangs in London and called for a zero-tolerance approach to crime enforcement, including broader use of technologies such as facial recognition. He noted that only a fraction of crimes in London currently lead to prosecution, calling the situation unacceptable. Similarly, Susan Hall, Conservative group leader at City Hall, warned of worsening conditions if police staff reductions proceed as currently planned, urging the mayor to act decisively before further harm occurs.

In response, the Metropolitan Police maintain that despite public frustration, significant numbers of officers patrol crime hotspots in visible and covert capacities daily, focused on apprehending offenders. The Mayor’s office also highlighted previous funding cuts imposed under national government austerity measures, attributing many challenges to this context. Since taking office in 2016, Sir Sadiq Khan asserts he has doubled the investment in policing, aiming to maintain frontline police services and improve community safety. Ongoing estate reforms and commitments to securing sustainable funding are cited as essential for building a safer London, though no easy solutions are presented.

This episode involving Selina Scott crystallises the distressing reality faced by many Londoners and visitors alike amid an environment where crime is escalating, police resources are strained, and public confidence is waning. The city’s reputation as a global capital of culture and commerce risks erosion unless robust, visible, and persistent policing strategies are matched by political will and adequate investment. Until then, the warnings from policing experts and victims alike stand as a stark admonition of the growing risks in what was once considered the world’s most iconic metropolis.

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Source: Noah Wire Services