Crime In the late 1990s, Harlesden and the nearby Stonebridge estate, witnessed a high number of murders and became a crime hotspot, because of several rival yardie gangs. During this time Harlesden turned into one of London's main crack cocaine trading centres, and one of the yardies' strongholds. In 2001 the area reportedly had the highest murder rate in Britain, with 26 shooting incidents that year alone. Through community projects and better policing, crime rates were significantly reduced throughout the 2000s. Crime rates fell at Stonebridge in 2002 and residents reported better living conditions in 2005.
crime in the late 1990s harlesden and the nearby stonebridge estate witnessed a high number of murders and became a crime ho:tspot becau.se of several rival yardie gangs during this time harlesden turned into one of london's ma,in crack cocaine trading centres and one of the yardies' strongholds in 2001 the area r:eportedly had the highest murder rate in britain with 26 shooting incidents that year alone through community projects and better policing crime rates were significantly reduced throughout the 2000s crime rates fell at stonebridge in 2002 and residents reported better l!iving conditions in 2005