The number of robberies carried out in the borough has more than doubled in the last two years, Met crime figures show.

Romford Recorder: Rodney Parlour was found dead in October last year. Picture: Met PoliceRodney Parlour was found dead in October last year. Picture: Met Police (Image: Archant)

There was a 107 per cent increase in robberies in the 12 months to March compared to the year before. In total there were 689 incidents recorded between April 2017 and March 2018 compared to 333 the year before.

And there was a 25pc increase in burglaries reported – with 2,310 between April 2017 and March 2018 compared to 2,163 for the 12 months before.

Violent crime – including harassment, assault and grievous bodily harm – increased slightly from 6,094 incidents in 2016-17 to 6,119 in 2017-18.

In total there were four murders between April 2017 and March including that of 48-year-old Rodney Parlour of Hood Road, Rainham, on or around October last year.

The Met’s asst commissioner Martin Hewitt said: “We continue to experience a very busy and challenging time against the backdrop of significant cuts.

“I am very concerned about the rises, particularly of murder, violent and knife crime.”

The force said it was doubling anti-knife crime efforts with more officers patrolling communities.

“Knife crime cannot be solved only by the police. We need the help of communities who we know are behind us,” the assistant commisioner said.

Across the capital burglaries of homes and businesses rose by 12pc while robbery is up by 36pc.

The Met said it was tackling burglary by patrolling hotspots and carrying out operations against organised crime gangs. Moped crime was blamed for much of the rise in robbery.

“Despite the challenges ahead, we continue to focus on bringing offenders to justice, making the streets hostile territory for criminals, supporting victims and working with communities,” asst comm Hewitt said.

There were 469 sexual offences in the borough between April 2017 and March 2018, 165 of which were recorded as rapes.

Rape numbers across the capital rose by 18pc between April 2016 to March 2017 and April 2017 to March 2018.

Overall crime numbers rose 6.8pc in the borough between April 2016 and March 2018. This compared to a near 6.5pc rise across the capital for the same period.