Over 500 people were raped in a South London borough last year. A total of 511 rape offences took place in Lambeth – the second highest out of all London boroughs.

Across Lambeth, the number of sexual offences shot up by 23 per cent between September 2018 and August 2022. Domestic abuse offences in Lambeth increased by 22 per cent compared to 2018, with 3,526 in the last 12 months alone.

There have been nearly 4,500 harassment offences in Lambeth in the last year, putting Lambeth in the top five worst offending boroughs in London. 

The shocking figures were revealed as Lambeth Liberal Democrats called on the Labour led-council to demand Sadiq Khan offer free travel on Transport for London trains to domestic abuse survivors. 

The Liberal Democrats have also called on the council to get accredited by the UK charity White Ribbon, which aims to end male violence against women and girls. Several South London councils already have White Ribbon accreditation, including Richmond, Kingston and Sutton. 

Under the proposals, male councillors will take the White Ribbon pledge, agreeing never to take part in, condone or stay silent about violence against women or girls. The leader of Lambeth Council will agree to write to other public sector organisations in Lambeth, including the Metropolitan Police, local schools and NHS bodies to encourage them to apply for White Ribbon accreditation.

The borough will mark White Ribbon Day on November 25 each year and encourage participation among councillors, council staff and local organisations under the plans. 

Lambeth's Green group is against the idea of the council getting White Ribbon accredited on the basis that White Ribbon opposes decriminalising sex work. The Greens argue that criminalisation of sex work leaves those working in the industry in a more vulnerable position. 

Cllr Donna Harris, Lambeth Liberal Democrats leader, said: "The prevalence of violence against women and girls is an embedded gender inequality that women face every day of their lives from childhood to old age.

"It is one of the most widespread violations of human rights and has devastating long term effects on the lives of women, their communities and wider society. This is an opportunity for every councillor in Lambeth to show the council is serious about doing its part."