Cranham was among the six safest wards in the whole of London in the last 12 months, new police figures show.
In total there were 72 violent crimes in Cranham between October 2012 and September this year – one for every 174 people who live there.
By contrast, there were 847 violent crimes – including rapes and robberies – in Romford Town during the same period. That’s one for every 19 people, or 16 each week.
The region ranks 12th out of 624 areas in the capital for the number of violent crimes per head of the population.
But overall, crime in Havering is down 4.4 per cent on last year’s numbers, reflecting a London-wide trend that has seen crime drop 8.4pc since 2011/12.
Cllr Clarence Barrett (Cranham, Residents’ Association) said he was “delighted” with the figures for his ward.
“We want to keep it that way, and we want the same for the whole of Havering,” he said.
“A few years ago we had a problem with antisocial behaviour.
“We worked very hard with the neighbourhood police team in having a greater presence around Cranham and the community backed that up 100 per cent.
“As a result that issue was resolved.”
He added regular meetings with Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) officers had helped put residents’ minds at ease.
Havering’s falling crime rate will be a relief to police, who have stepped up on-the-ground numbers by 50 police officers and 50 SNT officers despite cuts to funding and opening times.
As the news broke this week, we asked our Facebook readers how safe they felt in Havering.
Carol Fleming said: “I’m in my 60s and I feel quite safe in my area – near Hornchurch Country Park – during the day, but I don’t like being out after dark and I certainly would never go into Romford after dark.”
By contrast, Charlotte Campbell said she felt “not safe at all”.
“I was a victim of a violent crime in my own home in Romford last November,” she added.
Mandy Nunn said: “I’m in Cranham and I’d feel safer walking through Cranham and Upminster at night than through Romford.”
Kelly Hagendoorn added she was “fed up with all the fighting in the street” in Harold Hill.
“I can’t even get a loaf of bread without seeing someone getting beaten up in the street,” she said.
Chris Christou said: “I live in Collier Row, not far from Havering-atte-Bower, so I do feel safe. I’ve never had any bother in Romford town centre.”
Cllr Geoff Starns, Havering’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and have a number of schemes in place including banning orders, alcohol free zones and taxi marshals to make sure that people have a fun but safe night out in Romford.”
He added the Recorder’s calculations were “quite frankly portraying an inaccurate picture of our town.”
But when pressed, the council could not say what was inccurate, or point to any problems with the calculations.
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