Purpose of Audit
It is a statutory requirement to undertake an audit of crime and disorder every 3 years. This is the second Crime Audit. It presents a picture of the levels, patterns and distribution of crime and disorder in the Borough of Hounslow - based upon information collected from various sources. The Crime Audit is a valuable planning tool for use by service providers and the community to identify the issues that need to be addressed to reduce the levels of crime and disorder in the Borough.
The main findings of the Audit are summarised below. Copies of the full Audit can be obtained on request PDF Link here to view Audit
Consultation process
The Community Safety Partnership is required to consult on the findings of the Crime Audit. Copies of the full Audit are being distributed to identified interest groups for comment and public meetings are being arranged for this purpose.
A questionnaire is included with the Audit and this Summary. Your views on the Audit's findings and the issues identified in it for the next Crime Reduction Strategy are important to us. We can better tackle crime and disorder in the Borough when the Partnership works closely with the local community to tackle an agreed list of problems and determined the priorities for doing so. You can assist in this process by completing and returning the questionnaire in the envelope provided.
Main findings of Audit
The Residents Survey showed that the fear of rising crime in the Borough is high at 49%. This is higher than the average for London at 44%. It was the main concern of local residents in the survey - followed by traffic and litter.
A local fear of crime survey showed that people's fear of crime is based on their belief about crime and disorder and their trust of others in the area.
There were 29,034 offences reported by the police in 2000/01 - compared with 31,032 in 1999/00. This was a fall of 6.5% - although these figures were higher than those reported in the 1998 Crime Audit (27,488).
There were 7,692 vehicle crimes in 2000/01 - a decrease of 9% from 1999/00. These are the most frequently reported crimes in the Borough at 26% (1:4). Hounslow ranges from the 5th to 9th highest for these crimes compared to similar boroughs.
There were 3,415 burglaries in 2000/01 - of which 2068 were residential. Burglaries accounted for 12% of reported crimes (1 crime in 8). Residential burglaries fell by 7.7% from 1999/00 and equated to 9.7 per 1000 households. It had the 6th highest residential burglary rate - compared to similar boroughs.
There were 846 street crimes in 2000/01 - compared to 675 in 1999/00. An increase of 25%. It is mainly concentrated in high street shopping areas involving young people as offenders and victims.
There were 5,694 violent crimes in 2000/01 - compared to 5,497 in 1999/00. An increase of 4%. Eight specific locations were identified as "hot spot" areas for these crimes. Violent crimes cover a wide range of offences from harassment to murder. Increased reporting of domestic violence and racial incidents, as encouraged in the last Crime Reduction Strategy, had contributed to Hounslow having the 2nd highest figures when compared to similar boroughs.
The Ward that experienced the highest amount of total crimes was Hounslow Central. Most of it related to the town centre area. These included street & vehicle crimes, violent crimes (including racial incidents), illegal drugs, anti-social behaviour, disorder & drunkenness.
Other key crime "hot spots" included:
Convent Way & Wentworth Road areas for burglaries, domestic violence
Feltham High Street & Browells Lane areas for street crime, Vehicle crimes, violent crimes.
Summerwood Road/ Ivybridge Estate for burglaries, vehicle crimes, domestic violence, illegal drugs.
Turnham Green Terrace/Chiswick High Road for burglaries, street crime, violent crimes, anti-social behaviour, disorder & drunkenness.
Oriel Estate - Hanworth Ward for racial incidents & domestic violence.
Parts of East Bedfont & Hounslow Heath Wards for racial incidents.
There were 20,160 offenders reported to the police. 37% were in the 17-25 age group and 82% were male. The 10 -16 age group made up 17% of offenders. 54% of offenders were White, 17% Black and 17% Asian.
There were 35,421 victims reported to the police. The main age groups were 17-25, 26-35 & 35-50. Of these 43% were male & 36% female.
Reported domestic and racial incidents increased significantly in the period due to a positive approach that encouraged victims to report these crimes.
Anti-social behaviour was identified as a major issue in the Borough. This included- disorder in public places & in licensed premises, drunkenness, noise nuisance, abandoned and burnt out vehicles. As only racist graffiti is recorded, it was not possible to measure the extent of all graffiti.
Contact
For further information about the Crime Audit contact:
Head of Community Safety and Crime Reduction
Chief Executive’s Directorate
Civic Centre Lampton Road
Hounslow,
Middlesex
TW3 4DN
Tel: 020 8583 2471
Fax: 020 8583 2466