Although of little comfort to those who have suffered street robbery or repeated smashing of car windows, the number of reported crimes has dropped since December, 2002. Sergeant Simon Hammett, Stockwell Ward, goes so far as to say our area is ?absolutely dead? in terms of overall crime, with little burglary and street robbery and massively reduce drug-related activity. This may not, of course, be the perception of residents.
There have been several operations, including an initiative with London Transport Police in and around the Underground station. In addition, Operation Crackdown has succeeded in closing up to 12 ?crack houses? a week in the Borough, several locally in Stockwell Road, Clapham Road, Dorset Road and the Studley Estate. This may merely drive dealers elsewhere, but there is less activity, at least for the time being.
Residents have suffered persistent car break-ins, although statistics do not show a significant increase in car crime, possibly because it is difficult to report incidents. Victims complain of the time and inconvenience involved, particularly when instructed to go to the police station to report incidents. Our home beat officer says this is not normally necessary and that to report a crime which does not involve police presence we should ask for the telephone reporting unit. He stresses it is important to report all incidents so that the crime ?hot spot? maps reflect levels of criminal activity in an area. However, car crime is very low on police priorities.
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