Each month we share a snapshot of the community support, crime prevention and enforcement work in the West End.  

HOLBA, The Met’s Town Centre Team and the West End Police Team, Westminster City Council’s City Inspectors, Safer Business Network and HOLBA’s My Local Bobby, all work collaboratively with a commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all who work, visit and live in the West End.  

Crime enforcement  

A new West End Policing model went live in September and since then we have seen a noticeable uplift in policing activity in the HOLBA area. There are Three Town Centre Teams who are assigned to concentrate on work within the West End. 

The Town Centre Teams are working with partners on long-term problems that have been affecting the West End such as organised crime, shoplifting groups, violence against women and girls, anti-social behaviour and a whole lot more.   

In the first 2 months, between September and October, the 3 teams had 114 arrests, 297 stop-and-searches, and 27 offenders charged.  

Arrests were made regarding burglary, abuse, immigration, theft, possession of class A drugs, criminal damage and common assault.   

One prolific bag thief was tracked down and caught with two handbags which, following a successful identification, meant they were able to arrest them and further link them to another 14 theft offences that have occurred in the West End.  

Working closely with the team in the New West End Company District last week, a group were flagged for loitering, and upon approach, they ran and discarded a knife. The main suspect was then apprehended on Charing Cross Road after a foot chase and arrested for possession of the knife. Further checks have revealed that he is also well known for county lines drug dealing.  

Meet the Met  

On Wednesday 27 November, HOLBA welcomed Superintendent Beth Pirie to a Meet the Met event, where members were able to hear from and ask questions directly.

Key takeaways from the discussion:

• Due to the increase in footfall over the festive period, the Met have increased operations particularly focusing on reducing theft from person (TFP) and are starting to see a reduction.  
• The Met are working with Safer Business Network to target top 10 anti-social behaviour offenders in the West End. Each officer is assigned an offender and given the resource to target and investigate them.    
• As footfall figures rise, so do crime figures. It was noted that even with footfall data and the analysis to predict high crime periods, the Met are still currently under-resourced to act on these predictions.  
• Additional CCTV will be added by Westminster City Council to Leicester Square, Soho and Piccadilly Circus, with signage to act as an additional deterrent.    

 Pedicabs 

12 pedicab riders were brought forward at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday 27 November by Westminster City Council (WCC), following a continued multi-agency approach to managing anti-social behaviour in the HOLBA district. Nine were found guilty of noise pollution and obstruction with fines totaling £11,046, with three failing to attend. 

As part of the on-the-ground enforcement work and reporting of traffic offences, the teams have also been informing riders about the proposed legislation changes coming down the line and the requirement to obtain a license. 

ASB Awareness Week (18-24 November) 

Several initiatives took place as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, undertaken by the teams who operate in the West End. On Tuesday alone, a cycle safety and enforcement operation resulted in an arrest for immigration violation, stop and searches for drugs and stolen goods, five cyclists processed for riding on the highway and 24 educational interactions.  

On Wednesday the teams engaged with over 185 members of the public and business community at an event in Leicester Square to educate and combat anti-social behaviour, enhancing public safety. And on Friday evening, Community Based Volunteers worked alongside The Met in Leicester Square and Soho to speak with over 300 people in 2 hours, sharing advice and leaflets on crime and theft prevention. 

HOLBA would like to share thanks to all those who volunteer, work and operate in the West End, and who go above and beyond to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.