§ 13. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what percentage indictable crime in the area covered by the Brixton Police Station has risen or fallen in 1970 compared with 1969; and how this compares with the Metropolitan Police area as a whole.
§ Mr. CarlisleCompared with 1969, the number of indictable offences known to 1502 the police in 1970 for the area covered by the Brixton police station decreased by 8.1 per cent. The corresponding figure for the Metropolitan Police District as a whole was a decrease of 0.1 per cent.
§ Mr. LiptonDoes not that encouraging downward trend, which follows a 5 per cent. decrease last year, show that Brixton is a much more law-abiding place than many people will admit? Does not it also show what can be achieved by good community relations in which all sections of the public take an active part?
§ Mr. CarlisleLike the hon. Gentleman, I welcome the reduction of crime in Brixton, and I concede that, on the face of it, it appears to show what he suggests. The police in the area, as in the rest of the country, are doing excellent work in their fight against crime. It is encouraging to see figures of reducing crime such as we have seen in Brixton.