Ealing is one of London's most dangerous areas, according to latest crime figures released by the Home Office on Tuesday.

The figures for the year ending March 2000 detail 5.3 million offences across England and Wales compared with 5.1 million the previous year.

A total of 5,662 violent offences were recorded in Ealing, making it one of London's most violent centres. Only the borough of Westminster recorded significantly higher violent offences, with more than 9,000 reported.

Just 38 per cent, or 2,549 of Ealing's 5,662 reported violent crimes were solved by police. Three hundred and sixty sexual offences were also reported in Ealing, of which 166 were solved. Another disturbing statistic showed that just 201 of 1,702, robberies were solved.

Figures detailed property crimes such as burglary and theft as having the lowest clear-up rates.

Of 4,585 thefts from vehicles reported only 100, or two per cent, were solved by police, while just 12 per cent of 2,403 burglaries reported in Ealing were solved.