Armed robberies have soared 44pc

Robberies in Los Angeles this year are up nearly 18 per cent compared to the same period of 2021, while those involving a firearm have surged by 44 per cent this year. Actor and TV host Terrence Jenkins and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reality star Dorit Kemsley are among celebrities to have been targeted, bringing more attention to the crisis.

Crime is now the main focus of the Los Angeles mayoral race, which goes to the polls in November. Rick Caruso, the billionaire property developer, currently leads his competitors in this traditionally liberal city, despite formerly being a Republican, running on a tough-on-crime platform. Mr Caruso became an independent in 2012 when he previously mulled running for mayor before changing his political affiliation to the Democrats in January as he prepared for this campaign.

In February, Mr Caruso stood at 8 per cent in a poll of likely voters with his rival Karen Bass, a favorite of Hollywood Democrats, holding a large lead. Since then, Mr Caruso’s support has tripled amid £7 million of advertising spending, while Ms Bass has lost ground, placing him one point ahead in a tight race.

Supporters of Ms Bass this week criticised her rival after it emerged he missed nearly 40 per cent of his meetings when he served as the president of the Police Commission panel two decades ago, and also arrived late for dozens of meetings.

But Caruso’s backers claim he’s the man to clean up the mess, and was a success on the Police Commission, as well as on the boards of the Department of Water and Power and University of Southern California after being appointed in times of crisis.

Peter Ragone, a spokesman for Mr Caruso, told The Telegraph on Saturday night: “The facts speak for themselves. Many serious crimes are up and people feel less safe. As president of the LAPD Commission, Rick’s tenure resulted in the hiring of the best police chief in America, transformative reforms of the department, and a 30% reduction in crime. 

“Angelenos want a mayor who can clean up homelessness, crime and corruption. The attacks won’t distract from the fact that our leaders have failed to solve the biggest challenges facing our city.”