The Met said the figures were "extraordinary"

The force has hailed the results a "spectacular success" even though murder (7.9%), and violent crime against the person (4.1%), showed a rise.

Burglaries have fallen by 7.1%, car crime is down by 7.1%, street crime by 4.2% and rape offences down by 5.9%.

Murders within the African and Caribbean communities, investigated by Operation Trident, are down by 50%.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, commenting on the rise of murders and violent crime, said the statistics masked "extraordinary" results in other areas.

The number of violent crimes in London rose by 7,400 over the last year to 186,188 offences.

RISING CRIME ABH: Up 2.3% to 38,219 Common assault: Up 1.6% to 88,093 Criminal damage: Up 2.1% to 147,435 Murder: Up 7.9% to 204 Crime figures by borough

The number of murders rose from 189 to 204.

Sir Ian said that all crime in London was down 1.8% which meant there had been 20,000 fewer offences.

He added the increase in overall violent crime was fuelled by factors including increased reporting of low-level violent crime and changes in recording.

"What was a deteriorating situation only a few years ago of rising crime and too few officers has been turned around," he said.

He added he was worried by the move in the licensing trade towards larger pubs and bars.

FALLING CRIME Total crime: Down 1.8% to 1,060,930 offences Burglary: Down 7.1% to 105,361 offences Car crime: Down 7.1% to 225,610 Drugs offences: Down 3% to 32,332 GBH: Down 0.5% to 4,908 Gun crime: Down 7.4% to 3,576 Picking pockets: Down 14.6% to 27,238 Rape: Down 5.9% to 2,571 Robbery: Down 4.4% to 40,640 Sexual offences: Down 2.2% to 10,200 Street crime: Down 4.2% to 56,455

"Where we are concerned is the rise in alcohol- fuelled disorder, fights and disturbances in a public place," he added.

Sir Ian said the murder level was the highest in London in recent years and, although firearms offences were falling, there was an increase in knife-related crimes.

But he added: "We still have a murder rate which is one third of New York and Brooklyn has more murders than London as a whole."

He also argued that the figures should be seen against the background of defending London against terrorists.

The number of officers taken away from ordinary duty for anti-terrorist roles, football matches and state visits was one third higher last year.

Sir Ian said: "That's a very significant strain on our resources. All of this has to be seen against the background of enormous stretch in the organisation."