Keeping you safe in the City
With the festive season upon us, and after almost two years of COVID-19 restrictions, it’s no surprise that the number of people enjoying the nightlife the City of London has to offer is approaching pre-pandemic levels.
At the City of London Police, we want to ensure that everyone in the Square Mile, whether they live here, or are here to work or visit, can enjoy their time here without fear, and with confidence that we’re here to help keep them safe.
London truly is a 24-hour city
Protecting the public is our priority around the clock, and policing the City at night comes with its own unique challenges. We see more alcohol-related and violent crimes and we must focus our attention on protecting the vulnerable.
We work closely with licensed premises to provide guidance on crime prevention. Together with the Metropolitan Police Service, British Transport Police, and groups such as the Safer Business Network, we take a ‘One London’ approach to crime reduction and improving safety.
One of our main areas of focus is the prevention of violence against women and girls. We recently launched ‘Ask for Angela’– a campaign that provides customers in licensed premises with a phrase they can use to get help from staff if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. More than 100 licensed venues in the City have signed up to receive specialist training for their staff, and to become an accredited Ask for Angela venue.
We believe the initiative has the potential to prevent uncomfortable situations escalating into something more serious.
I encourage all licensed venues to sign up and do their bit to help keep people safe.
Vulnerability can take many forms
You may find yourself in a situation that makes you more vulnerable without even realising it. Understanding how to recognise potential dangers, and how take ownership for your own personal safety is essential, and something we can help with.
For example, many 18 to 20-year-olds, who’ve not experienced going out to bars and clubs at night during COVID-19 restrictions, are now keen to enjoy the City’s nightlife but have little or no experience of the risks. By talking to these groups directly, we can provide tailored advice to fit each circumstance, helping them to be more prepared.
In order to help keep people safe, we’re holding a number of events across the City this winter so we can reach out and offer reassurance and safety advice to those who need it. More information on this can be found on our social media channels.
We are also working with British Transport Police to ensure people are safe as they travel into and out of the City.
The festive season is indeed a time for cheer and, for many, the need to celebrate is greater than ever as life returns to some sort of ‘normality’ after a very difficult time for everyone. We’ll be helping to keep you safe by focusing on stopping offenders from targeting people who are simply out to enjoy themselves. If you’re out celebrating, make sure you know how to get help if you need it, and look out for your friends and others around you. Our officers will be on hand if you need assistance in the City, so if you see them, say hello and ask them for more information on how we can all work together to keep our city safe.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year.
T/Commander David Evans City of London Police
How to report crime in the City of London
If you’ve witnessed or been the victim of crime please report it to us.
Call 101 or report crime online.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.
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