Burglaries are on the increase in Kingston but police numbers are falling.

Surrey Police have already been forced to cut 50 jobs, a figure that includes 35 frontline officers, and Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Greenslade has revealed the Kingston Police will be forced to make budget cuts in the coming years.

A new postcode crime mapping service, launched by the Metropolitan Police in August, allows Londoners to access burglary, robbery and vehicle crime figures for their area. October’s statistics for Kingston-upon-Thames show 68 reported cases of burglary, more than double the number for October 2008.

A recent RiverOnline survey asking KU students how safe they feel in Kingston, found almost two-thirds are worried about being victims of burglary. Of 100 students surveyed, 72 said they are worried about burglary, with 26 admitting to being very worried. 

Polly Methley, a first year Interior Design student, said “I don’t feel very safe in Kingston at all - even along the river which is supposed to be the nice bit. The lighting around there isn’t good.”

When asked what measures could be implemented to help allay their fears, 85 per cent of the students stated an increased police presence in the town centre would help them feel safer, particularly when returning home late at night from pubs and clubs. Budget cuts, whilst not necessarily reducing police numbers, will almost certainly prevent increases in protection on the streets of Kingston.

The survey also highlighted concerns over safety in the University’s halls of residence. Laura Clayton, a second year Fashion Student now lives in rented accommodation on Villiers Road having lived in halls during her first year.

She said: “I feel safer now than I did in halls. At Seething Wells, anyone can walk in - there are no security guards."

Hannah McCarthy, a first year Interior Design student, said: “I’m in the Clayhill Halls, in the middle of nowhere. We never see security guards. I’m on the middle floor so it’s not too bad but friends on the first floor are really worried.”