- but figures show overall crime still INCREASING this year

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has claimed she helped cut repeat violent crime in the Bronx by preventing cops from getting involved and enlisting ex-gangsters to help instead - but the latest figures still show overall crime on the increase.

The 33-year-old liberal said making hospitals the center for responding to crime rather than police precincts had led to a 'dramatic' reduction in serious offending.

'As leaders, we should focus on solutions that are working instead of what helps us look "tough"', she crowed in a tweet Tuesday.