New City of London Police community partnership initiative
We recently met with Assistant Commissioner Alistair Sutherland to learn more about the successful pilot of a new City of London Police community partnership initiative.
Bloomberg, the global financial information and technology company, has funded enhanced community policing for the local ward, home to its European headquarters at the heart of the City. Part of Bloomberg’s commitment to support the local community, the partnership aims to improve the policing service for people working and visiting the area.
Starting the day at the local police station, this additional uniformed ward officer then works out of the Bloomberg offices. The officer is available during normal office hours and, in that time, patrols the local ward, provides an interface around any crime issues and carries out normal ward officer duties. In addition, the officer runs crime prevention initiatives and seminars at Bloomberg for the local community.
This community presence enables an immediate response to local incidents. Recently, the officer was on-hand when a shoplifting offence took place and was able to apprehend that perpetrator and bring them into the station very quickly.
This additional officer for the City of London Police is wholly funded by Bloomberg, and AC Sutherland says, “We would like to see this as a project for working that can be replicated across the City. Our number one ambition is to be the safest city area in the world. We cannot do that on our own, it has to be a joint effort: police, public and business working in partnership.”
AC Sutherland went on to explain the significance of this initiative for other areas in the City. “The huge development taking place in the City, particularly the eastern cluster, means we are expecting a further 75,000 people per day over the next three years, on top of the 515,000 currently. That is a significant additional challenge for us to police and this gives a better opportunity to be visible, to prevent crime and provide reassurance.”
This is just the beginning. AC Sutherland says, “Like never before, we are opening ourselves up for much more partnership and joint working, being part of community.” To further explain these new plans as they unfold in 2020, the Assistant Commissioner has agreed to a regular column in City Security magazine.
