Crime should not be a daily occurrence

In the worst of these neighbourhoods, crimes are committed on average every day of the year. 

Unsurprisingly, shoplifting, which was practically decriminalised by the previous government, makes up for the majority of crimes in some areas. The new government's pledge to get tough on this disturbingly prevalent crime is to be welcomed, although like so many of these pledges, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

But what is particularly disturbing is the prevalence of violent and sexual offences, often in areas which one would not expect to be crime hotspots. Something is clearly wrong when neighbourhoods of between 500 and 1,500 people are experiencing an average of two or three violent offences every week.

We suspect these figures are just the tip of the iceberg, and that many more crimes will go unreported by people who have simply lost confidence in the judicial system.

Some will blame soft sentences, others will point to the closure of police stations and a lack of visible policing. In truth, they probably all play a part. 

It is a problem that needs to be addressed. And addressed quickly.