The Mayor has challenged the Met to reduce crime levels by 20 per cent over the next three years.
As part of efforts to meet this target, Scotland Yard and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime have published a Crime Prevention Strategy which highlights how Londoners can play their part by marking personal property, keeping homes secure and joining local Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
The document also sets a target of boosting the number of young Londoners joining the Met’s Police cadets programme which supports the force’s efforts to detect underage sales of fireworks, alcohol and knives and local crime prevention initiatives.
To mark the strategy’s publication, Mayor Boris Johnson, Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Stephen Greenhalgh joined cadets at rail stations where they handed out crime prevention leaflets to rush-hour commuters.
The Mayor, who visited Charing Cross station with Sir Bernard, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many young, dedicated Met Police Cadets prepared to give up their time to advise others about protecting themselves and their homes from crime, in the lead up to Christmas.
‘The Crime Prevention Strategy is about building a safer London for all and understanding that we all have a role to play in this.”
Sir Bernard said the Met’s cadet scheme “is extremely important both to us and those that take part.
“Not only does it provide a brilliant opportunity for young people to take part in exciting challenges but it gives them the chance to give something back to their communities, learn leadership skills and help the police fight crime.”
Deputy Mayor Greenhalgh joined cadets at London Bridge Station, one of nine key transport hubs selected for today’s leafleting.
