Policing plea after estate agent murder

The South London borough where estate agent Timothy Robinson was murdered hopes to get squads of extra police to combat a rising tide of violent robberies.

Wandsworth has asked to be included in the Met's Safer Streets campaign following a public outcry over Mr Robinson's stabbing last month. Senior officers in the borough made the request for extra help to Yard chiefs last week.

While they say it is not directly related to Mr Robinson's death, they admit that a big rise in street crime has put them under extra pressure.

The Safer Streets drive is already in force in nine boroughs where mugging rates are highest.

Superintendent John Long, of Wandsworth Police, announced his intentions to a public meeting held this week near Warriner Gardens, where Mr Robinson lived.

"We are hoping to get Wandsworth included, but no firm decision has been made yet," he said. "It is in the broader context of the rise in street crime, rather than as a direct result of the incident involving Mr Robinson."

Mr Robinson, 25, died after being stabbed several times in front of his girlfriend as he parked his car outside his Battersea flat.

A 17-year-old youth has been charged with his murder, while three other men remain on police bail.