Lewisham: 'Least peaceful local authority'

Global think tank, the Institute for Economics and Peace, has released a report today, which finds that Lewisham is the 'least peaceful' part of the country.

The study defines peace as "the absence of violence or the absence of fear of violence" and is based on Home Office crime data (murders, violent crime, weapons crime and violent disorder) and police numbers from the last 10 years. Lewisham Central ward in particular was identified as an historic crime hotspot, which helped to secure the borough last place in the rankings (the bottom five are all London boroughs).

Overall, the fall in violent crime in the UK has led to the UK becoming a more peaceful place, according to the report.

Here's what the report says about our home:

In Lewisham the conception rate amongst under-18 year olds is 70.6, which is 1.8 times the national average of 39 births per 1,000.

Over 60% of households are deprived in housing, education, health and / or employment. Lewisham’s homicide rate is more than twice the national average at 2.5, with the 2011 period being the worst year for homicides over the last decade with 11 homicides recorded.

The homicide rate in Lewisham has fluctuated from year to year averaging seven homicides per year while the national trend has seen a sustained decline in both the number and rate of homicides. Weapons crime saw a large increase from 2003 to 2005 and has since declined although it still remains above the national average of 39 weapons crimes per 100,000 in 2012. It is important to note that the average over the last decade was more than double that of the national average.

Similarly, the violent crime rate has also followed the same pattern as weapons crime: a large increase from 2002 to 2005 and then a steady decline. Despite decreases in both weapons crime and violent crime over the recent years, the number of incidents still remains well above the national trends meaning that Lewisham receives the worst possible score of 5 for these indicators in the UKPI.

The public disorder rate rose to a staggering 1,126 incidents per 100,000 people peaking in 2009, which was more than three times the 10 year national average, before sharply declining through to 2012. Most of the crime in Lewisham occurred in the ward of Lewisham Central.

Full disclosure: BC's employers, Edelman, helped to launch the first Global Peace Index, produced by this organisation. And this is how they repay us!

With thanks to Richard and Nigel who drew it to our attention.