Crime drops on London's bus and Tube networks

Criminal damage has fallen by 59.3 per cent and robbery has fallen by 46.5 per cent

Chances of being a victim of crime on London's bus network has fallen to its lowest since records began in 2004/05.

In the last three years overall crime has fallen by 30 per cent on the buses and by 20 per cent on the Tube.

During the same period violent crime on the buses fell by 19 per cent and by 15 per cent on the Tube and the Croydon Tramlink.

In the last year, crime across public transport fell by four per cent. Bus-related crime was cut by 2.4 per cent and offences on the Underground dropped by 6.7 per cent.

Robbery on public transport has fallen by 46.5 per cent in the last three years from 5194 robberies in 2007 to 2782 robberies in 2010.

Criminal damage to buses and Tube trains has fallen by 59.3 per cent in the last three years from 8,178 instances in 2007 to 3333 instances in 2010.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has launched The Right Direction – his strategy for improving safety and security on public transport until 2013, which sets out  his priorities and focuses on vulnerable groups such as young people, women and older people.

The strategy contains a number of priorities to tackle crime and fear of crime on the transport system, including reducing theft and anti-social behaviour and increasing the confidence of older people when travelling in London.

Since Johnson became Mayor, transport safety achievements include delivering Safer Transport Teams in all London Boroughs, providing 400 more MPS officers to help staff 32 hub teams at strategic locations, doubling the number of cab enforcement officers in London, creating a cycle task force of 32 officers, providing 50 more British Transport Police officers and banning alcohol on public transport.

Johnson, said: "London is one of the safest capitals in the world but we can always do more to ensure people can travel feeling safe and secure."

Further information:
Greater London Authority