Merlene calls upon H&F Council to be open and honest on crime figures

12.00.00pm GMT Thu 28th Jan 2010

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hammersmith and Fulham has accused the local council of attempting to shroud the latest Met Police crime statistics in smoke and mirrors.

By focusing exclusively upon the statistics for Fulham Broadway, which has experienced a relatively small decrease in overall crime, the council has painted the figures as a resounding victory in the war against crime.

However the borough-wide statistics for Hammersmith and Fulham actually reveals a 1.5 per cent increase in the number of total crimes over the last 12 months with significant increases in violent crime such as homophobic and domestic attacks and gun crime.

Merlene said: " By doctoring the figures the council has irresponsibly under-represented the very real level of serious and violent crime in our community. If we are to tackle overall crime in the borough, then we need to be honest and open about the size of the battle we are facing."