Residents in northwest London have been told by police to “play classical music” to deter criminals after a spate of drug-fuelled crimes and robberies in the area.
Car windows have been smashed and drug deals have been reported in broad daylight in St John’s Wood, with one person found taking crack cocaine on a doorstep.
One resident claimed he was threatened by a drug dealer and warned he would be “shot and chopped up” after confronting them, the Sun reports.
Another resident, a businessman who lives near the Abbey Road recording studio, told the newspaper he had sent pictures of similar offences to the Met Police in the hope they would solve the issue.
In response, he said he had received an email from a police constable advising him that should he witness an incident, he should film it, if safe to do so, and call 999.
The email added: “You can also contact your housing association/the council and ask them to play classical music as this has proven to deter and prevent crimes.”
Strangely the email also added that music should not be played at excessive volume “as that can cause other complaints”.
In response, the unnamed businessman told The Sun: “Are the police on another planet? It’s crazy that they thought this would solve the problem.”
He explained that 22 residents had gone to the police about recent incidents and claimed almost 20 cars had been broken into.
The Times reports that studies have observed that playing classical music across transport networks has led to a decrease in criminal damage and assaults.
The idea is used by some companies including rail firm Northern, who said that playing Handel, Beethoven and Mozart at 35 stations had led to a reduction in groups loitering and causing nuisance.
The tactic has also been used at McDonald’s restaurants blighted by anti-social behaviour.
The Met told the Standard: “While clearly well-intentioned, the advice in the email sent to the resident in this case doesn’t reflect Met policy.”
