Friday 7 March: 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 Policing 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.

Westminster City Council CCTV

On Monday 17 February, Westminster Council’s cabinet agreed to a £2 million budget package to double the number of CCTV cameras, including 40 new cameras in the West End, as part of efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour. The local authority will also recruit eight new inspectors to work with police to manage community safety. These measures, part of the 2025-2026 budget, are expected to receive final approval when the full council meets on 5 March. The new cameras represent the most significant security investment in the West End in nearly a decade, with 8 cameras in key HOLBA locations such as Leicester Square. This investment is part of a broader strategy, including the new Street-Based Intervention Team and expanded enforcement teams, to strengthen the Council’s crime-fighting efforts.

Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029

HOLBA has formally responded to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) consultation on the Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029. The Plan sets out high-level priorities to make London a safer city, with a focus on both tackling crime and addressing its root causes. Recognising that policing alone cannot achieve this, the Plan emphasises collaboration between the Met Police, local councils, businesses, transport operators, and other key stakeholders. In our response, HOLBA reinforced the importance of a coordinated approach to safety in the West End, highlighting the ongoing work of our partnerships with policing teams, City Inspectors, and private security initiatives like My Local Bobby. We also highlighted made the point that the Police and Crime Plan needs to support the Mayor’s objectives in the new London Growth Plan. We continue to advocate for strategic investment in crime prevention and enforcement measures that reflect the unique needs of the West End’s business and visitor community.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley Sir Mark Rowley and BusinessLDN

On Thursday 27 February, HOLBA jointly hosted a BusinessLDN event with Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, at which the Commissioner outlined the substantial challenges facing the Met. HOLBA will arrange a follow up meeting to discuss in more detail how weHOLBA can work as effectively as possible with the Met, both operationally and strategically.

Sexual Violence Awareness Week

On Friday 14th February, Met Police officers worked alongside Community Based Volunteers to promote the Met’s Operation Rana initiative, raising awareness about the signs and investigating reports of drink spiking, and the Ask for Angela initiative in the West End. During our volunteer’s deployment, two thieves who were targeting women in the West End were identified and arrested. Both were charged and remanded in custody.

My Local Bobby and the Met Police in Action

Over the past few weeks, My Local Bobby (MLB) officers and the Met Police have made significant strides in tackling repeat offenders. Here are a few successes:

• MLB officers identified a known phone thief and discreetly observed him pocketing a stolen device. Having detained the suspect, who initially claimed he had “found” the phone, the rightful owner called the device, confirming it had been taken from her table at a pub. The phone was safely returned, and the suspect was taken into custody.
• In a single shift, Met police officers arrested two prolific shoplifters who were in breach of their Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs). Working closely with MLB, they gathered CCTV footage and statements, bringing the total breaches for court to nine.
• MLB officers intervened when they spotted a van behaving erratically in a restricted area. The driver appeared intoxicated, and as he attempted to flee, officers quickly secured the vehicle keys and detained him. Upon further investigation, he tested positive for Class A and B drugs and was found in possession of Class C substances, leading to his arrest.
• A routine patrol escalated when MLB officers responded to a violent altercation following a theft. Two suspects had stolen a jacket containing a wallet and attempted to use the victim’s bank cards. When confronted, they became aggressive, prompting Met police officers to step in. Both were restrained and later charged with theft and handling stolen goods.
• A major breakthrough came after a lengthy investigation by Met police officers into a serial shoplifter targeting Waterstones. The suspect had stolen over £1,500 worth of Lego sets across multiple incidents. With strong evidence in hand, officers arrested him and charged him with eight theft offences. He was later sentenced to the maximum six months in prison.