The Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss the Safer City Partnership, and approve the minutes from their last meeting. The committee was also expected to discuss questions relating to the work of the board, and any other urgent business.

Safer City Partnership Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the progress and impact of the work of the Safer City Partnership (SCP). The SCP is the statutory Community Safety Partnership for the City of London. It brings together statutory agencies, known as the Responsible Authorities, and other participants with the aim of keeping the Square Mile safe.

The Responsible Authorities include:

• The City of London Corporation
• The City of London Police
• London Fire Brigade
• NHS North East London Integrated Care Board
• The National Probation Service London

Invited and co-opted participants include:

• City of London Crime Prevention Association
• Safer Business Network
• City of London Business Improvement Districts
• City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults
• City and Hackney Safeguarding Children

The SCP Strategy sets out four priorities:

• Safer public spaces / ASB¹
• Violence against women and girls (VAWG)
• Serious violence (SV)
• Acquisitive crime

The presentation that was prepared for the Scrutiny Committee reflected a new approach to managing the business of the SCP and the Scrutiny Committee, moving away from significant reports, in order to focus on key areas of progress and challenge.

Key areas of progress included:

Safer Public Spaces

• Encampments: A Joint Working Group was formed, and monthly multi-agency Days of Action took place, resulting in 16 notices served and 14 tents removed. A register for rough sleepers and a live Teams channel for immediate issue resolution were developed. There were 173 Streetlink referrals and 298 outreach contacts between June and August 2025. Standardised protocols and legal processes for enforcement were created, with White Lion Court progressing to civil action.
• Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB): A data sharing project was launched between City Corporation and City Police to improve ASB analysis. Staff training initiatives were put in place, including a Level 2 Diploma and MARAC Chair training.

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

• Strategic Progress: A Quarterly Delivery Group was established with new Terms of Reference and strategic/action plans. A Domestic Abuse intervention service trial was commissioned, with 4 successful interventions between April and June 2025. The 16 Days of Activism campaign was scheduled for late November to early December 2025. The Hotel Toolkit was under review for improved safeguarding.
• Police Statistics & Hotspots: There was a 34% increase in VAWG incidents between June and July, with Bishopsgate identified as a persistent hotspot. Shifts in peak days/hours for incidents were noted, and there were no reports of rape in August. National trends showed a 10% increase in sexual offences on railways since 2022, with London Bridge as a major hotspot. The government announced a £20 million funding boost for survivor support.

Serious Violence & Acquisitive Crime

• Strategy Delivery: There was improved sharing of ambulance and hospital data, now available via GLA Safestats². A review of uniformed presence and hotspot response in the night-time economy was conducted. Research on licensing and multiagency approaches was commissioned, and analysis of lighting and CCTV coverage in crime hotspots was carried out. The Circles programme for behavioural change in sexual offenders was funded and implemented.

Ongoing reviews of domestic abuse screening in healthcare settings were taking place. An assessment of threats from increased footfall under the Destination City programme³ was conducted, with recommendations for pedestrian route safety. A risk assessment for violence affecting homeless and rough sleeper communities was also carried out.

• Current Overview: There was a 12-month rolling increase in serious violence (+14.5%), but recent months showed better control. Key times for violence were Thursday–Sunday nights, with December and November as peak months. The increase was partly attributed to changes in robbery recording, not underlying volume.
• Detailed Insights: Positive outcomes were noted for serious violence cases overall (19.2%). The night-time economy accounted for 73.6% of violence, and homelessness was linked to 5% of serious violence. Sexual violence accounted for 21% of cases, mostly stranger-related. 34 repeat victims and 12 outstanding suspects were identified.
• Acquisitive Crime (Snatch): The Fleet Street Cluster remained the primary hotspot. Seasonal patterns were observed, with increases in spring and autumn. A rise in snatch offences was anticipated from August 2025 onwards.

Prevent

• A review of statutory duties was ongoing with the Police and Home Office. The Channel panel was being co-located with Westminster Council from November, and a staff statutory training platform was rolled out.

The action reflected a strengthened approach to Multi-agency collaboration, and data-driven approaches were yielding tangible reductions in rough sleeping and improved ASB management. Targeted interventions for VAWG and serious violence were backed by strategic planning, new funding, and enhanced data sharing. Proactive risk assessments and strategic reviews were helping the City prepare for future challenges, especially with increased footfall and changing urban dynamics.

Minutes

The committee was asked to approve the public minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2025.