Crime

Our commitment

At HOLBA, we caretake the streets, helping to keep them clean, safe, and attractive, and elevating the experience for everyone who visits, lives, trades, or works here.

For over 20 years, we have worked alongside the local authority and other partners to deliver an area that is:

• Clean and well-maintained
• Safe and welcoming
• Healthy and sustainable
• Easy to navigate

The challenge

Rising levels of anti-social behaviour and criminal activity threaten the sustainability and reputation of the Heart of London area and the wider West End.

• Police resources are stretched, creating gaps in response and enforcement.
• Staff, especially shop workers, are targets of daily abuse and attacks.
• 127,000+ daily visitors add pressure on services and attract theft and shoplifting.
• Major events, such as film premieres, festivals, and demonstrations, require extra security and cleaning that is not currently resourced.

Our strategy

We are committed to tackling crime with a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy:

Strengthening Policing & Partnerships

• Deliver a crime-reduction strategy and action plan, holding statutory bodies to account.
• Lobby for increased police presence and patrols.
• Operate joint patrols and surveillance with statutory providers.

Tools & Technology

• Provide and fund a shared radio network to keep members updated on disturbances.
• Operate an online crime reporting system to deter and tackle crime.
• Explore technology-based solutions such as CCTV and facial recognition.

Business & Community Support

• Implement anti-theft measures and resilience training with members.
• Offer free safety training on counterterrorism, welfare, vulnerability, and conflict resolution.
• Provide a knowledgeable, friendly welcome and wayfinding for visitors.

Designing Out Crime

• Influence public realm design to build safety into the fabric of our streets.

Recent successes