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West End Safety Briefing | September 2026

A monthly update on crime, safety and security across the West End 

Recent research from King's College London has revealed that crime in London is lower than public perceptions might suggest, highlighting the gap between perception and reality. 

But for businesses, the impact of crime that does occur is real. Retail theft, robbery and antisocial behaviour can affect staff, customers and day-to-day operations, even when overall crime levels are decreasing.  

Creating a safe, welcoming West End therefore means more than responding to incidents. It means investing in prevention, sharing intelligence and working closely with partners to identify and tackle emerging issues, while supporting people who may be vulnerable or in need of help. 

 

Working together through the Fusion Cell 

Our partnership with the Metropolitan Police through the Fusion Cell continues to strengthen. Called for by HOLBA and funded by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), the initiative focuses on tackling robbery, phone theft and other acquisitive crime in the West End. 

Our latest team member, Armando, is now fully embedded within the Fusion Cell, strengthening the connection between HOLBA's security and street teams and the police. 

Intelligence comes from a range of sources, including information uploaded by members through ShopSafe Alert. Last month, 1,816 Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) were made from our members and users of the platform. This information resulted in 28 wanted offenders positively identified through Fusion Cell activity. 

 

 24/7 security: what's happening on the ground 

HOLBA's 24/7 security team, My Local Bobby, continues to support businesses and working with partners to prevent crime and respond to issues as they emerge. 

  • 39 arrests supported 
  • £7,462 worth of stolen stock recovered for members

 

Supporting people experiencing roughsleeping 

Safety and welfare go hand in hand. Our security and street teams are often among the first to identify people who may be sleeping rough or need additional support, helping connect them with the appropriate services. 

On the final Thursday of every month, we carry out an independent street count across the Heart of London footprint, using the same methodology and protocols adopted by Westminster City Council's outreach teams. The count helps us understand patterns of rough sleeping across the area and inform our work with partners. 

What we saw in September:

  • 37 people were recorded as sleeping rough across the Heart of London area. 
  • 30% had previously been offered accommodation. 
  • 38% had previously engaged with outreach support services. 

The data also shows a mix of people newly identified as sleeping rough, those experiencing longer-term homelessness and people who have returned to rough sleeping after previously moving away from the streets. 

The returning group is of particular concern, as it can indicate that previous interventions have not resulted in sustainable outcomes. 

The most common support needs identified were: 

  • Mental health support 
  • Substance misuse services 

The monthly count is one part of HOLBA's wider work with partners to understand the needs of people experiencing rough sleeping and support a safer, more welcoming West End for everyone. 

 

 
Recognising a safer West End 

September has also seen two important milestones recognising the work of businesses and partners across the West End. 

Best Bar None 
27 venues received their annual Best Bar None accreditation this month, recognising strong standards in safety, security, staff training, customer welfare and community engagement. The venues were recognised at an awards evening at BOX Piccadilly. View event photos. 

Purple Flag 
Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus have once again retained their Purple Flag accreditation, making them the longest-serving Purple Flag area in the world. The accreditation recognises strong management of the evening and night-time economy, including safety, wellbeing, entertainment and hospitality. 

 

Stay connected 

Businesses play an important role in helping us build a safer West End. Reporting incidents, sharing intelligence and staying connected with HOLBA's teams helps us identify patterns and respond quickly.