Agenda and draft minutes

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Apologies were received from Deputy Helen Fentimen. Deputy Madush Gupta, Deputy Benjamin Murphy and Joanna Abeyie were observing online.

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There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 16 September 2025.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 16 September 2025 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner.

Officers advised that there had been several incidents requiring engagement activity, including the recent attack on a synagogue in Heaton Park, Manchester, which had prompted additional reassurance work with the Jewish community. This included engagement with the City Belonging Project and the City’s Jewish community workers.

The Chair noted that while engagement following specific incidents was welcome, the Committee had consistently highlighted the need for deeper, longer-term community engagement. The Chair asked whether longer-term engagement had been discussed. Officers confirmed that, as part of the broader strategic engagement process, the central strategy team had begun ongoing engagement with the City Belonging Project.

The Chair requested further updates on this item in future meetings, noting the forthcoming review of community engagement.

A Member asked whether a forward plan could be developed to clarify how actions would be scheduled across the year and to provide more visibility of items. Officers advised that meetings had been arranged between the central team and the Police Authority Team to review and coordinate items.

RESOLVED, that the report was received, and its contents be noted.

Verbal update from the Commissioner.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner advised that, given the circumstances following a busy weekend, a verbal update was most appropriate, with written updates to be provided at future meetings.

The Committee was informed that there had been an increase in protest activity across London, with specialist teams continuing to support the Metropolitan Police Service. Officers reported ongoing concerns regarding criminal damage linked to the wider geopolitical and national context. Several businesses in the City had been targeted.

The Deputy Commissioner updated the Committee on Operation Swipe, noting continued reductions in mobile phone thefts during the busy period. Operation Reframe, described as a successful initiative within the City, would be intensified.

The Chair welcomed the update and asked that future written reports take account of previous Committee comments on providing a more structured format.

RESOLVED, that the report was received, and its contents be noted.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner in respect of the Community Engagement Strategic Plan Quarterly Update.

Officers advised an information briefing had been introduced at the start of each cluster panel meeting to provide community members and stakeholders with current crime data and a breakdown of crime and antisocial behaviour. A full evaluation of this approach would be undertaken in 2026.

Broader engagement activity had continued across the Force, including support to Operation Swipe, Operation Reframe, and initiatives relating to Violence Against Women and Girls. Work had commenced to review the engagement plan launched last year, with the intention of producing a joint Community Engagement Strategy for 2026–2029.

In response to a question, Officers confirmed that the draft strategy would be submitted to the February meeting of the Local Policing Committee. The intention was to produce a co-designed strategy, with a clear evidence-based approach and a continuous improvement model.

In respect of Cluster Panels, a Member raised concerns about the name and accessibility, noting low resident turnout and a clash with other civic events. Issues were also raised about the location of the venue, the readability of the materials presented, and the absence of community safety representation. Officers undertook to review naming, dates and locations, and confirmed that community safety officers had attended the session referenced.

A Member noted that a previously agreed daytime panel session had not taken place and suggested further consideration of what information residents most valued at cluster panels. It was further suggested that engagement with British Transport Police could be strengthened.

Several Members highlighted the value of proactive engagement activities, such as phone-marking events and the City Safe Bus and asked that more data be provided on their impact. Members also requested clarity on how the public could identify or contact their dedicated

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner concerning Policing Plan performance for Q2 2025/26.

Officers reported that overall crime was down 2.5% compared with the same quarter last year, and the rolling 12-month position reflected a 6.1% reduction (569 fewer offences). Theft had reduced by 6.9% on the rolling measure (342 fewer offences), and theft-from-person had reduced by 11.3%, attributed to targeted operations including Operation Swipe. Attendance rates for theft reports remained at 95%. Violence was down 2.3% on the rolling measure and VAWG by 5%, with 90% attendance rates. Officers highlighted reductions around the Bishopsgate area following evidence-based hotspot policing.

A Member asked what could be expected from Operation Swipe in the future, particularly whether activity would be increased or reduced. Officers responded that Operation Swipe operated as a full-systems approach involving prevention, communication of risk, seizure of e-bikes, and upstream investigations.

A Member raised concerns around the night-time economy, asking whether increased footfall would lead to increased crime and what strategy officers had in place. Officers advised that increased footfall would naturally increase crime volumes, but partnership work, licensing controls, and targeted policing mitigated this.

The Chair noted the description of phone theft as an emerging issue and expressed surprise given its prominence, stressing that international perceptions of London as unsafe for mobile phones risked impacting the City’s economic success. Officers accepted that describing phone theft as “emerging” had not been accurate and responded that whilst phone theft was declining, longer-term solutions required work with the tech industry.

The Chair requested an update in future reports on the “Ask for Angela” scheme, noting feedback that some venues lacked awareness. The Chair further queried the absence of hate-crime data in the pack given the geopolitical context and asked that a method be identified to alert the Committee should

Joint report of the Town Clerk and the Commissioner.

The Committee received a joint report of the Police Authority Team and the City of London Police concerning the use of signage in the City for crime-prevention purposes.

Officers outlined three areas of consideration. First, Members had previously requested an assessment of signage as a crime-prevention tool and as a means of reinforcing the City’s identity. Officers advised that evidence in this area was limited, although targeted signage could be effective when used as part of a broader package of crime-prevention activity. Secondly, Officers noted the relevance of signage to the Corporate Plan objective of creating a vibrant and welcoming destination, as well as the wider programme aimed at improving the City’s look and feel. Thirdly, Officers advised that a range of potential options had been identified for further exploration; however, no funding had yet been allocated to support the work.

The Chair asked whether the BIDs had been approached regarding potential funding. Officers advised that signage had not been raised in previous discussions with the BIDs, which had focused on wider security matters. The Chair suggested that pursuing this discussion would be beneficial.

A Member asked whether the Safer City Partnership, particularly the Crime Prevention Association, had been engaged, and whether Planning and Transportation Officers had been consulted given their work on cycling behaviour and existing City-wide signage reviews. Officers confirmed that the Community Safety Team had been involved and that Planning Officers had contributed advice, including on legal considerations and on the differing regulatory frameworks for static signage and digital or illuminated signs.

RESOLVED, That the report be received and its contents noted.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items of business.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner concerning the implementation of Right Care, Right Person (RCRP).

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner providing an update on the City of London Victim Strategy.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner concerning Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) and County Lines.

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A question was raised regarding Counter Terrorism arrangements in London.

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A Member raised a question regarding Counter Terrorism arrangements in London.