METROPOLITAN POLICE FLYING SQUAD PRESS RELEASE

 

The Metropolitan Police Flying Squad has achieved tremendous success in the last 12 months – reducing commercial robberies by 33%.

 

New figures show a dramatic drop in the number of armed raids committed in 2003 as compared with the previous year, for example:

 

Robberies on Building Societies have been reduced by 80% – In 2003 there were 2 armed robberies at building societies compared with 10 committed in 2002.

 

Robberies on Banks have been reduced by 78.7% reduction – In 2003 there were just 27 robberies at banks compared with 127 that were committed in 2002.

 

The significant falls recorded by banks and building societies are reflected elsewhere in the commercial sector:

 

Robberies on Post Offices have been reduced by 50.9% reduction – In 2003 there were 54 robberies at post offices compared with 110 committed in 2002.

 

Robberies on Jewellers have been reduced by 37.8% - In 2003 there were 23 robberies compared with the 37 committed in 2002.

 

The Flying Squad have in fact driven down armed robberies across every single commercial sector in London:

 

Cash in Transit               24.6% reduction               (2003 – 156 / 2002 - 207)

Banks                                 78.7% reduction               (2003 – 27 / 2002 - 127)

Building Societies               80% reduction               (2003 – 2 / 2002 - 10)

Post Offices                      50.9% reduction               (2003 – 54 / 2002 - 110)

Betting Offices               1.67% reduction               (2003 – 176 / 2002 - 179)

Jewellers                           37.8% reduction               (2003 – 23 / 2002 - 37)

Other premises               33% reduction               (2003 – 403 / 2002 - 586)

 

Overall                 33% reduction               (2003 – 841 / 2002 - 1256)  

 

Detective Superintendent Rick Reynolds, of the Flying Squad, said: "The Flying Squad enjoyed exceptional success last year and we are committed to further reducing the number of armed robberies in the capital. The success can be attributed to many factors including good intelligence gathering, increased forensic capabilities, pro-active work and crime prevention work with industry. Our crime prevention work has resulted in very strong links between police and businesses across London. Advances in crime prevention technology and work to 'target harden' premises preyed upon by armed robbers has had a significant impact on the number of offences committed".

 

The Flying Squad also achieved a clear-up rate of 34% last year.