Why some London boroughs like Croydon are gun crime hotspots as one area stands out

A Metropolitan Police commander has said the force is 'not complacent' in tackling gun crime and wants to continue to build trust between officers and London communities. When speaking to MyLondon, Commander Paul Brogden explained why specific boroughs are more affected than others, as the city as a whole saw an increase in incidents over the past 12 months.

Between May 2023 and May 2024, Enfield recorded the most gun crimes (105 incidents). There were 86 in Tower Hamlets, 82 in Hackney, 82 in Southwark, 79 in Lambeth, 77 in Haringey and 76 in Croydon and Brent.

When comparing the number of incidents in the 12 months ending in May 2024 with the 12 months ending in May 2023, there was a 0.9 per cent increase across the city (1,649 incidents).

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Commander Brogden said when asked why specific areas are most affected: "It fluctuates. We saw a recent rise in say South London - Lambeth, Southwark. Lots of police investigation activity has reduced that, thankfully.

"Similar in Brent and North West London, so it does ebb and flow. It's often linked to areas of social deprivation. We absolutely understand that. We work with those communities, build trust and confidence to come forward whenever we see an incident of serious gun crime.

"It's really important that the public trust us to investigate it. But it ebbs and flows, But often it's in areas of social deprivation." He added that it was also 'undoubtedly' also down to gangs and drugs.

"Money and guns are an unhealthy cocktail," Commander Brogden added. "We find a lot of the serious discharges are gang linked, and unfortunately often linked to [the] drugs trade."

'Serious incidents down'

Last year, London gun crime increased by just under 20 per cent - rising from 1,009 offences in 2022 to 1,208 in 2023. But the Met says that 'serious' incidents are down.

Commander Paul Brogden said that the force is 'not complacent' and is 'doubling its efforts' to tackle a 'vicious cycle of violence' in the city. He added that guns are most often by gangs to peddle drugs, enforce debt and control territories.

Last year, 386 firearms were seized in the city by officers, including Scorpion sub-machine guns. But the Met says it is going to keep up the pressure on criminals.

Commander Brogden then said he had a 'simple message' for those planning to acquire or use guns in London: "The Met will find you, we'll bring you to justice, we'll convict you and we'll imprison you."

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