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Boris attacks top Tory's claim that crime in London is like The Wire
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor10 Nov 2009
Boris Johnson has lashed out at shadow home secretary Chris Grayling for claiming that parts of Britain suffer from crime similar to that portrayed on US TV series The Wire.
The Mayor said that it was "absolute nonsense" to compare the capital to Baltimore, the American city where the television show is set.
Mr Johnson's attack on his senior Tory colleague is yet another challenge to the Conservative party nationally, coming less than a month after he infuriated David Cameron by demanding a referendum on Europe. Mr Grayling claimed in the summer that parts of the UK now resembled Baltimore's drug and gun culture. "Far too many of those features of what we have always seen as a US phenomenon are now to be found on the streets of Britain as well," he said at the time.
Last month, figures showed the number of gun crimes in London had nearly doubled in the past six months.
But the Mayor used a public meeting last night to declare that the figures were largely down to youths pretending they had a weapon. He said the number of killings was well down. "Someone the other day compared London with Baltimore, absolute nonsense. You know, this programme, The Wire in Baltimore," he said.
"There are 35 murders per 100,000 in Baltimore, there are approximately three murders per 100,000 in London. It is far, far more dangerous in Baltimore than it is in London, especially for gun crime."
Mr Johnson also described the failure of teachers to maintain discipline in schools as "terrifying".
Reader views (5)
You people are clearly idiots and have no idea what real crime problem is, but I guess it's to be expected from people who still have a queen.
- Patrick, Baltimore, MD, 18/11/2009 23:56
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It would be nice if the Tories gave the Teachers some support instead of putting them in the classroom and letting them try to cope with feral children.
- B Slack, Acton England, 10/11/2009 13:16
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Johnson is a fraud, most people know that except his devoted followers who cant see beyond the sect. London criminals rule the city. Whilst Johnson trots off home to his secure millionaire mansion at the end of his workshy day, most other Londoners have to dodge the violent drug crazied gangs of hoodies before reaching the safety of their homes. Yes Bozo,lets go for the easy targets, 'The Teachers, What about the parents?Haven't they got prime responsibility for how their children behave? Boris is a pityful excuse for a mayor and Grayling has got it absolutelt right.
- James Hennessy, Manchester England, 10/11/2009 13:03
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I have never seen this show 'The Wire' but Boris is always right so therefore what he says must be true. If people are worried about crime in London they shouldn't visit high crime areas such as the east and south london which I have heard are very dangerous especially at night.
- Kimberley, London, 10/11/2009 12:13
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After living in the states for 30yrs, I hadn't had the pleasure of being assaulted, robbed and smashed in the head w/2 bottles and left to die until I moved peaceful, lovely London ...!
By 8 teenagers who were only acting like 'criminals'...
Shut it down and give France the keys...
- Scrappy-Doo, London, 10/11/2009 11:38
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