Barnet has seen a 68 per cent rise in muggings by gunpoint in the past year, according to new figures released by the Metropolitan Police.

In the year to March 31, 2006, there were 42 such offences in the borough, compared to the previous year's figure of 25.

Councillor Brian Coleman, Barnet's London Assembly Member, said: "These figures not only suggest a more widespread use of guns, but that they are becoming more and more readily available.

"With the ever increasing amount of council tax that we're being asked to pay, and the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone's much vaunted Safer Neighbourhoods scheme, with its supposedly more visible police presence, the residents of Barnet would expect to feel safe when venturing out onto the streets.

"However, these figures do nothing to support that view and cast further doubt on the Mayor's ability to handle the policing of London effectively."

Chief Inspector Pete Edwards, of Barnet police, said: "We had a rise in gunpoint muggings last year, but that was after two years of falling robbery with a gun' figures.

"We take all robberies, especially gun enabled robberies, very seriously.

"There has been a significant reduction in robberies since April 1 this year with about 100 fewer victims compared to the same period last year.

"We continue to make Barnet a safer place in which to live and work by targeting those who rob."