Hundreds of retailers and local businesses across London’s West End are injecting £23m into strengthening security operations and infrastructure in the area, Retail Week can reveal.
More than 800 companies that operate in the area have contributed to the multimillion-pound investment package that will be deployed by New West End Company.
The Business Improvement District (BID), which represents over 100 streets in the West End, including Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street, has committed to investing more than £4m annually into local security operations across the next five years.
New West End Company said local businesses, workers, and visitors can expect to see an immediate increase in security presence across the West End as it significantly increases the size of its 24/7, 365 on-street security team during peak footfall periods.
The growth in the BID’s on-street security team is part of a year one investment of £5m, which New West End Company is making into West End security infrastructure, which also includes a phased roll-out of a 24/7 monitored CCTV network across the district.
Additional ring-fenced funding of £4.5m from the Mayor of London’s Office of Policing and Crime has also been unlocked to create a West End intelligence ‘Command Cell’ to tackle mobile phone theft and other volume crime.
New West End Company chief executive Dee Corsi said: “As one of the most visited and visible destinations in Europe, keeping the West End safe requires coordinated action.
“This additional investment into both our on-street team and back-end security operations will enable us to work more effectively with local businesses and our long-term partners at the Met Police to share intelligence, run joint operations, and support targeted enforcement.
“Crime of this nature is not going to be solved by one organisation alone – partnership working remains absolutely critical, with everyone playing their part. Together, we can make the West End safer and stronger.”
No comments yet