Newham has the highest number of hit and run casualties in London, according to the latest statistics obtained by Green Party.

There were 225 casualties in the borough in 2012, including two fatal accidents, 11 serious accidents and 212 slight.

A spokeswoman for Newham Council said safety is its biggest priority and measures are in place to help reduce the number and severity of crashes occuring although she noted that hit and runs are a difficult issue to tackle.

“Hit and run is very much a driver behavioural issue which is hard to address by highway or traffic measures,” she said.

Other methods used by Newham council to reduce hit and run casualties include working with the Met Police, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and TfL on campaigns to improve safety, including ‘Safe Drive Stay Alive’, which is aimed at young people to educate them on becoming safe and responsible drivers.

The council also provides road safety education in schools and colleges, school crossing patrols and cycle training.

The hit and run statistics from the Met’s London Road Safety Unit show more than 74 people were injured across London per week in 2012,

The Met believe the substantial number of illegal drivers in London accounts for a large proportion of hit and run collisions.

Westminster had the second-highest number of hit and run casualties in 2012 (220), followed by Hackney (219). Kingston-upon-Thames had the lowest, with just 40 incidents.