London's West End is a unique location that requires a unique approach to tackling crime |
By Dee Corsi
As a Londoner, for me the start of the Christmas season isn’t marked by the first mince pie, or Christmas advert, but by the twinkle of lights in the West End.
An iconic destination year-round, the West End becomes truly magical during the festive season, and businesses invest heavily to deliver something special.
Across the last eight weeks of the year, millions of visitors from the UK and abroad flock to the district for standout festive experiences, from the much-loved Santa’s grotto at John Lewis, to Selfridges’ iconic Christmas shop and Claridge’s festive menus. The breadth of what’s on offer is staggering, with footfall in December 25% higher than in summer months and spend forecast to hit £1.7 billion.
During such a busy time, it’s fundamental that our streets feel safe and welcoming.
Like other UK high streets, the West End has experienced a rise in shoplifting, phone theft and anti-social behaviour in recent years. These are national trends, which have caused concern amongst businesses and the public alike. The seriousness of the issue has been reflected by a renewed focus on tackling high street crime at the highest levels. Just this week, the Home Office launched its Winter of Action, a ‘blitz’ on shop theft and street crime up and down the........