The City of London Police Authority Board met on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, to discuss the City of London Police's annual policing plan refresh for 2026-27, review the quarterly HMICFRS activities update, and consider the revenue budget and project fund for the upcoming financial year. The meeting also included updates from the Chair and the Commissioner, and a review of the Board's Terms of Reference.

Chair's Public Update

Tijs Broeke, Chair of the Police Authority Board, was scheduled to provide a public update. This update was expected to cover significant developments such as the Government's White Paper on police reform, titled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, and the City Corporation's engagement with this reform. Broeke was also anticipated to discuss the Corporation's hosting of the launch of the Government's Anti-Corruption Strategy, the ongoing preparation for an expanded Fraud Strategy, and the public launch of the Report Fraud service. Further points were likely to include the topping-out ceremony for the new City of London Police Headquarters as part of the Salisbury Square Development, engagement on cyber resilience with organisations like The Business Services Association and the National Cyber Resilience Centre Network, and discussions with Baroness Lloyd, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at DSIT, regarding the City of London Police's national efforts to strengthen cyber resilience. The update was also expected to touch upon the Home Office's decision to cease funding for the hotspot response programme nationally and the continuation of Serious Violence Duty grant funding for the City. Finally, a visit to the City Safe Bus, an initiative supporting vulnerable individuals in the night-time economy, was likely to be mentioned.

Commissioner's Update

The Commissioner of the City of London Police, Peter O'Doherty, was scheduled to provide an update on local operations and security, as well as national functions. The local update was expected to cover the New Year's Eve operation, highlighting its success in partnership with other agencies and noting the final operation overseen by Commander Khan before his retirement. The ongoing positive feedback for the City Safe Bus, a partnership initiative providing a safe space in the night-time economy, was also anticipated. The update was likely to mention the Walk and Talk initiative, encouraging women to engage with the police and discuss safety concerns, and the attendance of City of London Police officers at the 85th anniversary of the bombing at Bank underground Station during World War II. The successful Exchanging Places Cycle Safety Roadshow at Aldgate Square, which provided cycle safety advice and insights into the challenges faced by partially sighted individuals, was also expected to be highlighted, with a further event planned for Bank Junction. An engagement piece with Great Ormond Street Hospital, where officers provided crime prevention advice to patients and families, was also scheduled for mention. The update was likely to detail ongoing efforts to tackle criminal damage against businesses through Op Crantock and monthly protest webinars. Furthermore, arrests made in relation to a series of hotel bag thefts in the City of London were expected to be reported, with a focus on victim care and offender accountability. The national update was anticipated to focus on the successful launch of Report Fraud and its transition into its next phase, with congratulations for Chris Bell and his team. The attendance of Deputy Commissioner Adams at the Global Anti Scams Alliance conference in New York, and bilateral meetings with US law enforcement and industry partners, were likely to be discussed. Planning for the 1 Salisbury Square project and engagement events with organisations such as CIFAS, the Payments Association, and TechUK were also expected. The upcoming launch of the new Fraud Strategy was to be mentioned, along with the Commissioner's article in The Times advocating for public-private collaboration. The attendance of senior CoLP staff at the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna was also anticipated. The meeting with Solicitor General The Right Honourable Ellie Reeves MP to discuss CoLP's national leadership responsibilities was also likely to be covered. Operational highlights were expected to include the sentencing of an insurance broker for diverting over £133,000, and an award received by PIPCU officers for their investigation into counterfeit airbags. Project Capstone's success in identifying online serious and organised crime threats and cryptocurrency confiscation opportunities, including seizures exceeding £50 million, was likely to be detailed. Operation Callback 2, targeting courier fraudsters, and planning for Operation Henhouse 5, an annual fraud intensification initiative, were also expected. Media highlights were anticipated to include reports on a PIPCU operation targeting illegal Sky streaming services, and an interview with Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Amanda Wolf in The Times discussing the response to a £10 billion crimewave.

Police Authority Board Terms of Reference

A report from the Town Clerk was scheduled to be presented for decision regarding the Police Authority Board's Terms of Reference. The report indicated that the Board's Terms of Reference for 2026/27 remain the same as for 2025/26, with no changes recommended following a review by the Police Authority team. Members were asked to review and approve these Terms of Reference and to agree delegated authority for the Town Clerk to make any subsequent minor corrections before submission to the Court of Common Council.

Quarterly HMICFRS Activities Update (Q3 October - December 2025)

The Commissioner was scheduled to present an update on His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service (HMICFRS) related activities during the third quarter of 2025. The report was expected to provide an overview of governance, assurance, and oversight arrangements for monitoring delivery and driving accountability. It was also to detail service improvement activities undertaken to progress each Area for Improvement (AFI) and the progress achieved to date, alongside operational and tactical engagement with relevant business areas. The update was to include readiness assessment activities to strengthen inspection preparedness and horizon scanning to anticipate future inspection themes, informing organisational learning and supporting proactive improvement planning. The report was expected to note that the City of London Police had not been selected for upcoming HMICFRS thematic inspections on Firearms Licensing, but that proactive work was underway to ensure alignment with requirements.

City of London Police - Policing Plan Annual Refresh

The Commissioner was scheduled to present the annual refresh of the City of London Police - Policing Plan for 2026-27. This report was expected to outline proposed amendments to the current plan and its associated performance framework and policy drivers. The report indicated that no changes were deemed necessary to the Plan's priorities and objectives, but substantial changes had been made to the Performance Framework to more closely reflect National Lead Force performance metrics. Amendments to the Chair and Commissioner's forewords were proposed to acknowledge police reform and reassure communities. Updates to figures and narrative in Part 1, amendments to Priority 1 and 2 narratives, and specific deliverable changes related to Report Fraud launch, Domestic Corruption Unit implementation, and attracting talent were also anticipated. The report was to recommend approval of the plan under delegated authority for publication by 31 March 2026, with a formal submission to the Court of Common Council in April.

Report of Action Taken - Revenue Budget and Project Fund for 2026/27

A report from the Town Clerk was scheduled to provide information on delegated decisions taken between committee meetings, specifically concerning the City of London Police Revenue Budget and Project Fund for 2026/27. This report was to detail the proposed police fund revenue and capital budgets for 2026/27, presented as part of the annual budget setting process. It was noted that due to the sequencing of committee meetings, delegated authority had been granted to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Police Authority Board, to approve the budget following review by the Resource and Estates Committee. The report was expected to highlight the endorsement of the budget by the Resource and Estates Committee, acknowledging financial risks, particularly concerning the late confirmation of funding for the National Lead Force. The report was to confirm that the Revenue budget and project fund had been agreed under delegated authority.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Board

Members were scheduled to have the opportunity to ask questions on matters relating to the work of the Board.

Any Other Business That the Chair Considers Urgent

This item was reserved for any urgent business that the Chair deemed necessary to bring before the Board.

Exclusion of the Public

A motion was scheduled to be put forward to exclude the public from the meeting for specific agenda items, citing the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.