A HIGH level of burglary in Woodford appears to be the result of a "systemic failure" to tackle the issue, a councillor has claimed.
The IG8 postcode is in the top one per cent for break-ins in the country, according to a survey of insurance claims conducted by Moneysupermarket.com.
For every 1000 claims made, 26.2 of the claims in Woodford Green related to theft or burglary, placing Woodford Green 13th out of 3000 postcodes.
Latest figures on the Home Office's police.uk website show there were 47 burglarys in the Woodford Green area in March alone.
Compared to 34 burglarys in September 2011.
Cllr Paul Canal said: "This suggests a systemic failure.
"We are not effectively making homes secure, we are failing to deter burglars, and once they have committed the crime we are not apprehending them.
"Worst of all, our courts are then refusing to jail repeat offenders.
"We need a coherent community led strategy that puts residents first and criminals last.
"We should expand our neighbourhood watches, crack down on recidivists and help our residents more effectively secure their homes."
The figures prompted Sue Williams, Brough Commander for Redbridge Police, to appoint a new burglary chief, Stewart Hill, who has reorganised the borough’s burglary squad.
She previously said she didn't know how Moneysupermarket.com came up with the figures.
Cllr Canal called for urgent talks with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and the police to discuss the issue.
Click here to follow the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian on Twitter
Click here to follow the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian on Facebook
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here