15 May Crime levels in the UK pass the crime rate in the US for the first few months in 2018
Crime rates in the city of London are higher than ever. The capital has witnessed over 50 shootings and stabbings this year alone, making the death toll and crime rates surpass America.
According to the Guardian, crime rates across England and Wales are rapidly increasing. Alarming statistics show spikes for major “high-harm” crimes in England and Wales. Official crime figures revealed that Britain is currently seeing an increase in violent crimes, including gun offences. Police figures show a 14% year-on-year increase in offences recorded across England and Wales.
Earlier this month the BBC published an article showing that the murder rates in the city have risen dramatically in the past year, surpassing New York, notorious for being the world’s capital of violence. The British broadcaster published that “a spike in violent crime in London saw more murders committed in the city in February and March than there were in New York…”. The Metropolitan police so far have investigated 46 murders, compared with 50 murders in the US city. The BBC also established that “while New York’s murder rate decreased from the end of January, London’s rose markedly from that point.”
The decline of police numbers has been dramatic too, with over 1000 officers leaving their jobs because of the wage freeze, according to The Guardian. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has accused the government of failing in its duty of protecting the public, he said that he will invest £60m annually to fund an extra 1000 officers. As well as this the mayor, has put in place extra stop-and-search powers in the worst-hit parts of London. A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told Express.co.uk: “The Mayor is shocked and angered by the violent deaths on the streets of London this year…. He is heartbroken that so many of those taken have been young lives – and his thoughts are with their friends and family at this difficult time.” Although, there is not a direct link between the departure of so many police officers to the rates of crime across England and Wales, it is increasingly evident that resources are being strained in tackling the rising violent related incidents.
Many crimes and murders reported to the metropolitan police, are a result of gang-affiliated violence from different areas across the capital. Among the many victims that were murdered since January 2018 is Tanesha Melbourne, who was shot dead in a drive-by shooting. Another individual, Kelva Smith, 20, was also found collapsed with multiple knife wounds. The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. A local resident reported that ‘(she) no longer feels safe in the area following the recent reports of violent crimes and continues to worry about (her) son whenever he goes out’
Figures placed the Government under increased scrutiny after ministers pledged to make Britain’s streets safer earlier this month. London Mayor, Sadiq Khan says that the government should invest more on national security and that more should be done to keep the youth and youngsters busy and off the streets.
Scotland Yard’s assistant commissioner Martin Hewitt said: “The Met continues to experience a very busy and challenging time against the backdrop of significant reductions in resources… I am very concerned about the raise in crime in the capital, particularly murder and knife crime. My thoughts are with the victims’ families of these tragic and horrific crimes which have brought untold misery to countless people”
It’s clear that the rise of crimes has increased ever so much in the past few months and it seems that one of the main causes of these crimes is rival gang members and post code crime. The British public has questioned the government and the London Mayor about their roles of keeping the British public safe.
