Wandsworth is in the top five worst London boroughs for cyclist hit and run victims, it has been revealed.

Statistics obtained under a Freedom of Information request from the London Assembly Green group showed 47 cyclists were victims of hit and runs in the borough last year.

Wandsworth Times:

Cyclist Jon Irwin said "it comes as no surprise"

There were also another 25 hit and run incidents involving pedestrians.

The borough came fifth after Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Camden and Hackney, which had 84, 71, 56 and 52 incidents respectively.

Local cycling campaigner Jon Irwin said: "This news comes as no surprise to local campaigners. One simple action that Wandsworth Council could take to make our streets safer would be to consult borough-wide on 20mph limits."

London Assembly member Jenny Jones said: "I am particularly concerned that 47 cyclists were the victims of hit and runs in just one borough, the fifth highest amount in London.

"When a city has almost a fifth of its injuries from road collisions being linked to hit and runs, then the Mayor ought to be demanding that the police enforce the rules of the road."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the force treats road crime with the seriousness it deserves and is working to ensure the safety of all road users.

The Met's roads policing and transport command has a specialist investigation team which concentrates on all serious collisions and brings those who cause serious injury to account.

The spokesman added: "Many drivers fail to stop because they are involved in criminal activity, have consumed alcohol or drugs or because they are uninsured or unlicensed. The Met is proactively targeting these individuals using all available technology and intelligence to reduce the harm they can cause on London's roads."

Operation Safeway was launched late last year after a series of cyclist and pedestrian deaths on London’s roads and officers from the Met are now routinely deployed at key junctions across London to enforce road safety and give advice to all road users during rush hours.


Recently we reported the story of actor James Robinson, 35, who was left brain-damaged in a hit and run in Battersea.

The Olivier Award nominated actor, who has appeared in Hollyoaks and Crossroads, was seriously hurt and used a wheelchair for three months after he was injured during a hit and run.

Mr Robinson was crossing Battersea Rise on foot, at the junction with Northcote Road, on November 15, last year, when he was hit by a man in a Ford Puma.

The driver, Earl Walfall, 34, of Maysoule Road, Battersea, was found guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court of careless driving and failing to stop at an accident scene.

He was sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work and 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, on October 6. He must also pay a victim surcharge of £80 and the Crown Prosecution Service £200.

Wandsworth Times:

Mr Robinson is taking legal action to raise vital funds for his recovery.