Almost 2,000 commercial property thefts took place in Barnet over a year, making it in the top 10 worst boroughs in London, statistics show.

Statistics from the Metropolitan Police, collated by locksmithservice.co.uk, show there were 1,727 commercial property thefts in Barnet between July 2016 and June 2017, placing it seventh worst-hit in London.

Almost 50,000 similar thefts took place across the borough, with Westminster, Newham and Ealing taking the top three spots on the list as the worst hit boroughs.

The report shows the growing concern of this type of theft, which comes along with a 7 percent increase in theft as a whole across the UK and a 10 percent rise in crimes in 2016-17 from the previous year.

Victor Baron, of locksmithservice.co.uk, said: "Burglaries and theft related crimes in commercial properties is certainly not uncommon. It is vital that all security measures are assessed regularly.

"Burglars are often opportunistic and seek to find easily accessible points to a building - from an insecure door to poorly glazed windows.

"Those who consider themselves less vulnerable with lower valued stock are in fact more susceptible as they go to very little lengths to protect their building, therefore making themselves easy targets."

Barnet Detective Superintendent Katie Harber, while agreeing with Mr Baron's comment over the opportunistic nature of these crimes, assured residents that both commercial and residential burglary has reduced by 31 percent in Barnet since April 2012, and is down a further 10 percent in the last 12 months, though the rate of thefts in the borough is beginning to rise after a 10 percent drop between 2012 and 2016.

She said: "Taking a proactive stance to secure your property and commercial or personal vehicles is the best way of combatting would be thieves, however Barnet Police and the council work closely together to reduce environmental factors which can contribute to crime and target offenders."

An example of these measures, Det Supt Harber went on to say, is the new network for ANPR cameras in the borough, which are able to check the number plates of returning offenders to the borough, operations to make Barnet a "hostile environment" for crime and the recent arrests of 10 prolific burglars, all of whom are now awaiting trial.

She added: "The MPS Business Crime Unit have produced guidance, which also translates to residents who can protect their homes.

"Using property marking schemes deters potential thieves and significantly increases the odds of getting your property back – but only if the marked property or those with serial numbers is properly registered.

"Simple steps such as locking cars, windows and doors is really important."

To check the MPS Business Crime Unit guidance and ensure your property, commercial or residential, is safely secured, visit their website.