A leading charity is calling on politicians in Haringey to tackle high rates of HIV in the borough in the build-up to May’s elections.

One in 153 people in the borough are living with the virus, an increase from one in every 222 in 2002.

The National Aids Trust wants politicians in Haringey to invest in HIV prevention and support services and promote wider testing.

Out of the neighbouring boroughs, Islington, Camden and Hackney have a higher number of people living with HIV, one in 118, one in 119, and one in 129, respectively. UK-wide, the figure is one in 546.

Yusef Azad, a director at NAT said: “Disinvestment in HIV prevention and testing would seriously harm public health, especially in an area like Haringey, and will cost the council and the NHS in the long term.

“The May 2014 elections will be the first to take place since local authorities regained their responsibility for public health.

“Now councillors and political groups in Haringey can make a lasting difference to the lives of people with HIV, those at a higher risk of contracting the virus and the generations to come.”