The number of people in Havering living with diabetes has decreased in the past year despite Type 2 increasing across the country.

The borough’s high elderly population means there are more people living with long term health problems, such as Type 2 diabetes, however the prevalence of this condition in Havering is 6.04 per cent, lower than the national average of 6.2pc.

A spokeswoman for Havering Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG): said: “As GPs, we’re working closely with Havering Council and other local health organisations to help all our residents to live longer, healthier lives.

“We’re working to make diabetes services more joined up so that patients get the care they need, closer to home.

“This includes moving consultant-delivered hospital outpatient services into the community.”

The number of people in Havering over the age 17 living with diabetes has reduced to 11,962 from 12,132 in 2012/13.

The spokeswoman added: “It’s important to remember that up to 80 per cent of cases of Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented by making simple changes in our everyday lives – such as eating healthier, being more active, quitting smoking or limiting your alcohol intake.

“Early diagnosis, treatment and good control of diabetes can also help to reduce the chances of developing serious complications from diabetes in the future.”

A study from Public Health England (PHE) stated on Monday that 708,213 people in London are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Barbara Young, chief executive of Dabetes UK, said: “Having high blood glucose levels significantly increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which is a serious health condition which affects 2.9 million people in England, and can lead to devastating complications such as blindness, amputations and stroke, and ultimately early death.

“This is why it is really important that people at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes are given evidenced-based support to reduce their risk.

“As well as helping to reduce the human cost of Type 2 diabetes, this would also go a long way to helping to reduce costs to the NHS.

“The NHS spends 10 per cent of its entire budget managing diabetes and unless we get better at preventing Type 2 diabetes this figure will rise to unsustainable levels.”