Street crime in London has fallen by 9% since the introduction of a �67m government scheme to cut robberies and muggings, according to Home Office figures.

The Metropolitan Police said robbery with violence, or the threat of violence, was down 19% since March, and that meant 700 less victims in August alone.

Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged to bring street crime "under control" by the end of this month under a Home Office initiative which began in April.

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, was in Wandsworth, south London, on Thursday where a 31% cut was recorded.

There will be no let-up in the Met's efforts to reduce crime and arrest offenders

Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens

Mr Blunkett said: "In London, where nearly half of robberies occur, the Met have done a tremendous job, delivering a reduction of 19% in robbery since March, building on improvements since February.

"The impact we are beginning to make on this problem across the country is down to the efforts of all those we got round the table in March to put in place a co-ordinated strategy to deal with what was an escalating trend."

Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, emphasised the role of Operation Safer Streets in the fall in crime.

'Hard work'

The operation took traffic officers off their usual beat to concentrate on London's crime hotspots.

Sir John said: "The success of Operation Safer Streets has led to a steady reduction in the levels of street crime in London since February.

"These achievements have been driven by the hard work of our officers and the concerted focus on targeting the criminals responsible for robberies on London's streets.

"There will be no let-up in the Met's efforts to reduce crime and arrest offenders."