West End

Drugs.
The West End has seen sporadic but concentrated issues surrounding the blatant use of drugs on the streets. Several areas across the Ward have repeatedly had issues with drug users congregating in areas with low foot traffic, doorways and poorly lit areas. Officers are aware and engaging with drug users, who the majority of are vulnerable or living on the streets. Officers have worked alongside the council and outreach services in order to take a longer term non-enforcement action, which in the long run will produce better more time efficient results as opposed to constantly arresting offenders. Some users/offenders are not engaging well with the diversion and assistance routes offered to them so enforcement action will be taken.

Officers will continue to carry out proactive targeted patrols to problem areas at the times of day identified by residents. Officers to better utilise their stop and search powers coupled with solid information and intelligence submitted by residents and victims of Anti-Social Behaviour. Officers will also continue to make referrals to outreach services to those willing to engage. Officers will be issuing CPWs, CPN,s and eventually CBOs to prolific offenders that cause anti-social behaviour through the use of drugs. For residents, please submit information reports through official Met reporting channels as this information will get filtered to us, and we will use this information to proactively target anti-social behaviour hotspots.

Vehicle related ASB.
Many residents and businesses have reported to Police and Westminster Council that they face regular issues with anti social vehicle use across the West End Ward. This can involve Car Meets as well as Street Racing. There are also reports of excessive noise from vehicle based sound equipment late at night.

This has been a particular issue in Soho, with large groups of motorbikes meeting. Some of the motorbike riders have been riding in a dangerous and anti-social manner.

Westminster council have applied for and now been granted a new Public Space Protection Order to cover the West End Ward, focussing on anti social vehicle use. This will give Police and Council additional powers to deal with nuisance vehicles. There is a general upgrade to CCTV cameras around the Ward that can help to identify offending vehicles and drivers. There will be increased Police patrols in the areas identified who will be dealing robustly with any offences. Currently, 97 PSPO Fines have been issued.

Police and Council urge residents and businesses to report vehicle based ASB to the Councils 'Report it' service or on the Met Police website.

The West End Ward has been identified as a repeat area for Robbery and Theft of personal property . Soho is a small area relative to other wards in the area, it has a bustling night time economy which many thousands of people come to, primarily over the weekends. Robbery in Soho is mainly fuelled by the night time economy. Intoxicated patrons leaving bars, clubs, and pubs become targets for groups and individuals intent on stealing their personal property. It is a concern of residents and visitors alike, as robbery is a highly invasive and distressing crime to become victim of. The Met has tasked pan-London units to patrol in the area to combat these violent offences. The West End Policing Teams and West End Town Centre Teams are the West End’s dedicated team of officers that are out on foot patrol covering the night time economy. They continue to actively target robbery suspects.

Proactive teams and the Territorial Support Group have been conducting targeted patrols around the West End. This has seen numerous arrests for robbery and related offences, and disrupting those suspected of being involved in violent offences. Officers will continue to proactively identify offenders and stop robberies from occurring. Using evidence based approaches, targeting specific roads where the majority of offences are known to occur. High visibility patrols will continue to provide reassurance to members of the public, and provide both reactive and proactive elements in combating robbery, so officers are able to quickly attend calls. Local Ward officers will be hosting crime prevention stalls, and engagement events in busy areas of which anyone is welcome to attend.