Serious incidents of youth violent crime are down by more than one third in Barnet.
In the year 2024-25, there were 22 recorded incidents of serious youth violence, a fall of more than 30% from 2019/20.
At the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee session in July, Barnet’s Labour Cabinet member for Community Safety, Cohesion and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Councillor Sara Conway highlighted that: “These figures represent a very welcome positive downward trend and the effectiveness of our borough’s multi-agency proactive partnership and co-ordinated prevention and interventions.”
Since Labour took over Barnet’s administration in 2022, it has:
- Upgraded and expanded the borough’s CCTV system which was failing 70 per cent of the time under the Conservatives. The cameras are now monitored 24/7. The number of camera streams from around the borough has significantly increased from 127 to currently over 775. Cameras now have 360 degree views, and two community safety vehicles have been adapted to carry mobile CCTV cameras that are also used to support police operations.
- The council provides strong partnership on the Metropolitan Police’s ‘Clear hold Build’ initiative tackling serious organised crime on the Grahame Park estate, which led to more than 300 arrests for a range of offences, a 50% reduction in burglaries and a 33% reduction in anti-social behaviour calls.
- A Public Space Protection Order, allowing action to be taken against anti-social behaviour in Barnet’s public spaces and enforcement patrols across parks and green spaces
- Community Safety Pop-Up Hubs and multi-agency ward walks.
Cllr Conway added: “Barnet Conservatives’ failed to meet the challenge of serious violence and anti-social behaviour, including among young people. In contrast, we have provided targeted investment and proactive partnership and Barnet Labour will always push to make Barnet safer.”
