THE number of firearm
muggings in the borough has trebled during the past year, according to
police figures.
The number of robberies in which a gun was used has gone up from nine in
2004/5 to 25 in 2005/6.
Bromley and Chislehurst MP Bob Neill said: "This is a very worrying
precedent, one which needs to be dealt with as swiftly as possible.
"These figures not only suggest a more widespread use of guns, but that
they are becoming more and more easily obtainable.
"With the increased amount of council tax that we're being asked to pay,
and a comparatively more visible police presence, people of Bromley
should be able to feel safe venturing out onto the streets, but these
figures do nothing to support that view."
He has pledged to ask London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who sets the annual
budget for the Metropolitan Police, what action he intends to take.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Smart, Bromley's head of CID, said:
"Robbery of personal property, especially when it involves the use of a
firearm, is something we and our partners are working very hard to
combat. We are being helped by extra officers from the territorial
support group who are currently posted to the borough.
"The Safer neighbourhood Teams that were all in place from April are
part of this operation and are helping to provide reassurance.
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