Police in Merton solved less than a quarter of all crimes reported to them last year.

Analysis of the latest crime statistics has found only 22 per cent of crimes within the borough are solved, compared to a national average of 27 per cent.

The figures equates to 10,364 unsolved crimes in Merton between April 2012 and March 13.

The figure is a repeat of 2011/12 when again only 22 per cent of reported crimes were solved, leaving 11,040 unsolved.

For example the figures show only 95 of the 544 cases of robbery reported between April 2012 and March 2013 in Merton were solved.

Police say the figures although "factually accurate", are "open to many different interpretations."

Borough Commander of Merton Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Williams, said: "Individual targets are of course important but for me the direction of travel is a far more realistic indication of how we are getting on. Crime figures are reducing and we are getting better at solving it.

"Crime levels are lower than last year in every area except theft person, and we are solving more crimes than we did last year in every area except theft person."

There were 799 less crimes reported in Merton in 2012/13 copared with the previous year However latest figures show an increase in incidents of rape, from 43 between September 2011 and 2012, to 68 for the same period 2012 to 2013 and during the time sexual assaults are up from 114 to 156, domestic crime is up from 870 to 920 and gun crime from 30 to 36.

Borough commander Williams, said: "Any increase in crime is unwelcome, but I would like to think it is easier for people to report it. We are giving the best service in the MPS with a satisfaction level at 83 per cent. The fear of anti social behaviour is the lowest in the capital."

"Merton has some of the lowest crime in London but I have the belief that we can and will get better."

Figures show racist and religious hate crime has also increased from 134 incidents between 2011 and 2012 to 157 between 2012 and 2013.

Mr Williams believes the abuse his officers receive account for the vast majority of that statistic.

He said: "80 per cent of all victims of racist incidents are police officers."

 

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