Bike and car theft “effectively decriminalised” in Southwark as only 1.1% of cases end up in charge, Lib Dems reveal

The data shows that 1.4% of car theft cases resulted in a charge or summons while charges for bike thefts were even lower at just 0.01%.

Additionally, the FOI revealed that from 2020 to 2022, 94% of cases of stolen cars and bikes went totally unsolved, without a suspect even being identified.

The national picture isn’t much better, with just 3.4% of car thefts resulting in a charge across the country, but these numbers that show Southwark falling far below even that will vindicate residents who feel that they’re being let down.

The Lib Dems are calling for a return to proper community policing - where officers are visible and trusted, with the time and resources to focus on preventing and solving crimes.

Commenting, Community Safety Spokesperson Cllr Jane Salmon said:

“These figures from the Met are shocking. Essentially, they show that the police are entirely unable to support victims of crime in Southwark. Bike and car theft seems to have been effectively decriminalised in our borough. Having your car or bike stolen can represent a huge extra cost at a time of serious economic pressure, and the police are clearly unable to help.

In Southwark, and across London, we need a return to real community policing. Years of Conservative cuts and misplaced resources have decimated the police’s ability to solve crimes and support victims. People need a visible police force they can rely on.”