Our Safer City – Destination City: Working in partnership to prevent violence and abuse

The most recent Our Safer City event at the Livery Hall, Guildhall in the City of London brought together leaders from policing, business and the charity sector.

Hosted by the City of London Corporation in conjunction with the City of London Crime Prevention Association (CoLCPA) and Our Safer City – the Prevent Violence against Women and Girls and Domestic Abuse consortium – aligned with Destination City, the event showcased a united approach for women’s safety and security.

Greg Moore: a historic and modern City

Greg Moore, Deputy Town Clerk of City of London Corporation, opened the event by reflecting on some of the Corporation’s unique responsibilities, from managing cultural venues like the Barbican to green spaces such as Hampstead Heath. Moore explained that a key aim is for “a safe, thriving City”, and that “CoLCPA plays a valuable role in making this the best City in the world.” He highlighted the City’s six-part corporate plan, with community safety and crime prevention as central pillars, and praised the partnership’s support for initiatives like Safe Havens and Taxi Marshalling.

Chief Superintendent Sanjay Anderson: policing the night time economy

Chief Superintendent Sanjay Anderson, City of London Police lead for VAWG and DA, described the City’s transformation into a 24/7 hub and the challenges of a thriving Night Time Economy (NTE). “For many, NTE is not downtime and it’s critical to create safe environments for all. No one should ever feel unsafe walking on our streets.” She noted the City Police’s alignment with government’s goal to halve VAWG within a decade.

Anderson highlighted the importance of reporting, partnerships, and proactive operations. She overviewed Operation Reframe, a monthly collaborative effort involving over 500 visits to licensed premises to address issues like drink spiking. “It’s everyone’s business,” she concluded, referencing new disruptive tactics like Servator VAWG, which targets hotspots and predatory behaviour.

Destination City: building a vibrant future

A video from Jen Beckerman, representing Destination City, traced the initiative’s evolution from a post-pandemic recovery strategy to a broader growth agenda. Beckerman highlighted how Destination City aimed to replace lost worker footfall with vibrant visitor activity. She celebrated the City’s renaissance, noting, “Liverpool Street is the busiest station – the City is the engine of the UK economy.” Beckerman detailed collective actions, cultural strategies, and partnerships, including the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), to make the City “a place where people want to spend their time”, with a strong emphasis on safety, inclusion, and well-being.

Don Randall MBE: innovation and partnership

Don Randall MBE, Chairman of CoLCPA and Our Safer City, reflected on the City’s reputation for pioneering safety initiatives. He recounted the launch of Our Safer City in 2022 and its ten active initiatives, supported by grants from City partners. Randall emphasised, “The City is known everywhere for developing initiatives and sharing them,” reinforcing the value of collaboration in creating the safest business city globally.

Eren Bessim: practical safety initiatives

Eren Bessim from the Safer Business Network discussed two key initiatives: Safe Havens and Ask for Angela. “People want to go to places where people are trained,” Bessim noted, highlighting the importance of staff training and public awareness. He stressed that Safe Havens and Ask for Angela are “not just about bars and clubs”, but part of a dynamic ecosystem for safety. With thousands of SIA-licensed security staff and high turnover in hospitality, Bessim advocated for ongoing training, regular testing, and effective partnerships, adding, “It’s easy to become a Safe Haven – training only takes 40 minutes.” The Safe Haven app was also promoted as a tool for the community.

Chief Inspector Caroline Hay MBE: a four-pronged police approach

Chief Inspector Caroline Hay outlined the City of London Police’s four Ps strategy: Prepare, Protect, Pursue, Prevent for preventing violence against women and girls and domestic abuse. She described data-led operations, targeted interventions at vulnerable venues, and the use of youth advisory groups and drink spiking tests. “Premises want to be proactive,” she said, emphasising the importance of early intervention, safe spaces, and the role of male allies.

Nahar Choudhury: Solace’s holistic support

Nahar Choudhury from Solace, London’s largest domestic abuse service provider, described the organisation’s feminist, inclusive approach: “There is a VAWG epidemic – a crisis – so it is excellent to hear about the Our Safer City initiative.” Solace supports 18,000 women and children annually, offering prevention, intervention, and recovery services. Choudhury highlighted the importance of survivor voices, intersectional support, and early education, while acknowledging the challenges posed by the criminal justice system and funding constraints.

Ayesha Fordham: the crucial role of employers

Ayesha Fordham, from the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA), emphasised the crucial role that workplaces play in tackling domestic abuse. She introduced EIDA’s “3 Rs” model: Recognise, Respond, Refer. “Employers are often a lifeline for staff experiencing abuse,” Fordham said, pointing out that with over 2,000 member organisations, EIDA is building a network of support across the UK workforce. She encouraged employers to be proactive: “It’s not just about policies, but about creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up and seek help.” Fordham also highlighted the importance of training, awareness campaigns, and signposting to specialist services.

Shital V: The power of lived experience

Survivor and advocate Shital V shared a powerful personal testimony, reminding the audience, “Domestic abuse is not choosy… it can happen to anyone, happens in plain sight.” She described the daily realities of coercive control and the barriers to seeking help, including fear of not being believed and concerns about children, jobs, and housing. Shital emphasised the need for understanding and empathy, especially for those from marginalised backgrounds.

Our Safer City is supported by the City of London Corporation’s Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund

Andrea Berkoff

Editor

City Security magazine