Agenda item

Report of the Commissioner of Police.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of the City of London Police setting out the Police spend on the Late Night Levy from October 2015 to September 2016. Officers updated Members on the key campaigns that had been funded by the levy, including the successful Christmas campaign for 2015, Operation Tinsel, and the upcoming Operation Present.

A Member queried whether the large carry forward in the budget from 2015 would create a problem for coming years. The Chamberlain confirmed that it was predicted that the 2016 levy would produce a similar carry forward, and that reserving the money avoided having to pay for projects on credit.

A Member sought confirmation of the usefulness of the Levy to policing activities. The Commissioner confirmed that the levy was invaluable to their late night operation. There had been a significant fall in the number of incidents since the levy had been introduced, with the fund allowing the force to scrutinise venues’ safety to a much higher degree. This had in turn helped forge strong working relationships with venues in the Square Mile.

In response to a query from a Member, the Commissioner confirmed that venues’ response to sexual assault allegations would be discussed at a licensing forum due to be held in November.

The Deputy Chairman queried whether Police were still present at club closing times to assist with the safe and speedy dispersal of patrons. The Commissioner reported that this was now rare, and Police deployment relied on information on which nights were likely to be busy. The Deputy Chairman further queried the potential to deploy a CCTV vehicle at busy times, and it was reported that a bid for levy money to allow for this had yet to be accepted.

The Director of Markets and Consumer protection updated the Committee on non-police use of the levy (equivalent to 30%). It was felt that the percentage of funding going to the Corporation and the Police could be flexible in future to allow for projects with a longer term impact.

RECEIVED.