Agenda item

The Commissioner of the City of London Police to be heard.

(Report awaited).

The Sub-Committee heard the Commissioner of the City of London Police.

The following points were noted:

• Members noted there is a three-stage method to address begging and assess the vulnerability of rough sleepers in the City of London. It includes a support and intervention hub held fortnightly at St Botolph's Church, attended by various organisations.
• It was noted this approach uses a traffic light scheme for issuing tickets to those found begging:
  • Green ticket: Warning not to beg within the city for 12 months.
  • Amber ticket: Issued if caught begging again.
  • Red ticket: Further offenses can lead to a criminal behaviour order (CBO).
• Since April 1, 2024, there have been 13 green tickets, 3 amber tickets, and 1 red ticket issued.
• One CBO has been obtained, resulting in a five-year order with specific requirements around behaviour and begging.
• Hub attendance has been lower recently, with most attendees being frequent users who come for food and hot drinks.
• Invitations to the hub are extended to those found rough sleeping, aiming to provide support.
• The hub is essential for the Luscombe model, ensuring a welfare-based approach with support before enforcement.
• Proactive operation Luscombe days are conducted when the hub is open, referring those begging or rough sleeping to the hub for immediate support.
• The City of London Police and Corporation work together to address issues related to rough sleeping, using the community MARAC to coordinate a welfare-based response while addressing any criminal or antisocial behaviour.
• Members were informed that Tickets are warning cards, not fines. Escalation can lead to a red card for enforcement and criminal behaviour orders.
• Members raised concerns about what is happening at the encampment in Castle Baynard st plus hotspots at 65 Fleet St and Gough Sq. Officers confirmed that they were in contact with the named locations.
• CoLP made an offer to Members to attend the fortnightly Hub at St Botolphs, Bishopsgate explaining it takes place fortnightly with planned events every second Wednesday
• Officers confirmed they are looking at alternative offers of support to Luscombe.