Cops admit spinning 'good news' on crime to public

06 September 2007

TOP cop Jerry Savill has admitted colluding with politically controlled council spin doctors a about how to present crime issues to the public.

The Tower Hamlets borough police commander told councillors he regularly 'co-operated' with the Labour-controlled Town Hall about spinning 'good news' stories to the press.

Chief Supt Savill was asked by Tory Opposition leader Peter Golds whether police "colluded" to issue media releases and prevent worrying criminal incidents reaching the public.

He replied: "We tend to use the media to promote good news in co-operation with the local authority."

His comments came during a grilling before the authority's overview and scrutiny committee on September 4.

Latest figures show an eight per cent drop in overall crime in Tower Hamlets in the past 12 months, with big falls in burglaries.

But Commander Savill conceded robberies were rising.

He also spoke of fears of a growing youth gang culture in the East End.

"These youngsters don't act in criminal gangs as they do in other parts of London," he assured.

"There are 40 to 50 youngsters who cause the bulk of the problem here."

Labour's anti-crime chief Abdal Ullah revealed that extra police would be stationed at schools during the new term to tackle a spate of pupils being mugged.