The latest London-wide crime figures tell a mixed story but one that, in many ways, mirrors the experience of Putney.
A year ago, theft from cars was a major local issue that the Met has helped turned around: targeted patrols and focused policing in known hotspots have had clear results. The new figures [pdf] show theft from cars, and vehicle crime more generally, are well down compared to last year — proof that sustained, problem-focused work can deliver results.
Shoplifting Rockets
But while one problem has been tackled, another has exploded. Across London, shoplifting is up 38% year-on-year. Putney traders say the local picture matches, if not exceeds, that surge. Retailers on and around the High Street report almost daily incidents, often involving organised groups, with many offenders appearing unfazed by the prospect of being caught.
Met’s Budget Crisis
The Metropolitan Police is facing a £260 million budget shortfall this year and internal projections warn the gap could rise to £450 million in the years ahead.
Around 1,700 officers and staff are already due to go, with more losses possible. The impact will be felt in visible patrols, specialist units, and investigative capacity.
As part of the cuts, the Met will close 18 of its 37 public front counters, including Lavender Hill Police Station ness Clapham Junction, which is the only publicly accessible police station in Wandsworth. Once it shuts, the borough’s 327,000 residents will have no local desk to report crimes in person.
Mayor’s Selective Message
In a worrying sign, London mayor Sadiq Khan responded to the latest data by highlighting only the categories showing improvement — burglary, robbery, and knife crime — in a social media post. There was no mention of shoplifting, business robbery, sexual offences, or gun crime, all of which are rising sharply.
The figures used weren’t wrong — but the selective framing is the wrong attitude at the wrong time. A mayor’s job is to look problems square in the face not try to PR their way around them.
The worst performing crime stats:
| Rank | Crime Type | Year-on-Year Change |
| 1 | Business robbery | +38% |
| 2 | Shoplifting | +38% |
| 3 | Gun crime | +18% |
| 4 | Theft from the person | +12% |
| 5 | Rape | +9% |
Squatter Problem Adds Pressure
The growing squatter problem in Putney — already drawing police attention — will require significant resources to resolve. Local councillors and residents fear that with fewer officers and the loss of the borough’s only public-facing station, those resources simply won’t be there when needed.
Putney’s recent success in tackling car crime shows what focused policing can achieve. But with the surge in shoplifting, the station closure, and major budget cuts looming, there are real fears that 2025–26 could see a worsening picture for the crimes that matter most to residents and businesses.
Your comment about the Mayor’s disingenuous tweet is absolutely right.
In fact there is no change in the total crime figures year on year (939,435 in July/June 24/25 vs. 940,347 in 23/24).
I ploughed through the London Police and Crime meeting papers linked in your article, and main conclusion was that the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is a waste of space – continual evasion in response to questions from the Assembly Members.