Multi-million pound policing scheme defended


£1.8million scheme only reduced the number of crimes by 223

A recent report to Hammersmith and Fulham Council shows that the borough's much-publicised £1.8m 24/7 policing scheme has only prevented 223 crimes.


The 24/7 policing pilot which began in April 2007 was to reduce crime by at least 10 per cent each year in Fulham Broadway and Shepherd's Bush Green wards.

But a report to Hammersmith and Fulham councillors states: "It is clear that the first objective has not been achieved."

The first year of the scheme cost £1.867m and there were just 223 less crimes in both wards - meaning that preventing each of these crimes cost £8,372.20.

The scheme, now in its second year, was funded jointly by the police who paid 20 per cent, with the council and other partners stumping up the remaining 80 per cent.

Newly appointed borough commander Kevin Hurley said that police activities such as stop and search had created higher crime figures and pointed out that robbery was at its lower evel level within Shepherd's Bush. He said he thought the scheme had been a success and that it should be rolled out across the borough.

Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative councillor Greg Smith said: "The pilots are reducing the number of crimes with victims and uncovering the true level of crime in those wards. Any argument against the work of these teams is an argument for letting the drug dealers get away with it and that is something the council will never countenance."

September 11, 2008