New statistics have shown that 80% of burglaries in London go unsolved by the Met Police.

The figures, from official Home Office statistics compiled by the House of Commons Library, show that in the 12 months between September 2022 and 2023, a total of 30,403 burglaries in London were closed without a suspect being identified - accounting for 80% of all cases. 

Meanwhile, just 2.9%, or 1103 burglary cases opened by the Met resulted in a suspect being charged or summonsed in the same time period.

Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney has accused the Mayor of London and the Conservative Government of 'political bickering' whilst failing to tackle crime in London.

The figures come as previous research from the office found that the number of Police Community Support Officers in the Metropolitan Police had declined by 32% between 2015 and 2023, a decrease from 1,787 to 1,215.

Olney and the Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are trusted and visible in their neighbourhoods, with the time and resources to focus on tackling local crimes like burglaries.

The party is also calling for a new "Burglary Response Guarantee" under which all domestic burglaries would be attended by the police and properly investigated.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney said: "Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their own homes.

"But under this terrible Government, so many burglars are getting off scot-free.

"These figures will bring little comfort to families and pensioners in London.

"The Conservatives must finally bring back proper community policing and back the Liberal Democrats Burglary Response Guarantee so all burglaries are attended by the police.

"It's the only way to reverse these shocking figures."

Liberal Democrat Candidate for Mayor of London, Rob Blackie said: "The Met has been left under-resourced by this Conservative Government and Labour Mayor resulting in local communities being let down and criminals getting away with their actions.

"No family should be denied justice after suffering the distress and trauma of being burgled.

"People should know that if they are burgled, the police will attend the scene and investigate properly. This is what the Met Commissioner has promised."