Agenda item

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

The Sub-Committee received an update of the Chief Inspector of the City of London Police, and the following points were made:

Over the past year, the police response to rough sleeping and begging has shifted from a reactive, enforcement-led model to a more collaborative and supportive approach. Previously, enforcement was the primary tool, but now a partnership model is in place, focusing on early intervention and support.

Operation Luscombe, the main policing framework, is currently paused while improvements are made to how support is offered. This includes more immediate help and redesigned “information tickets” with QR codes and accessibility features. A new Community Support Officer will lead targeted interventions for individuals who have not engaged with support.

Efforts are also underway to reduce rough sleeping at high-impact sites through environmental changes and one-to-one engagement. Daily coordination between police, outreach teams, and local services ensures swift responses to new cases. Positive outcomes include increased voluntary compliance, removal of fire hazards, and stronger community engagement.

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand the partnership to include mental health services and other stakeholders, building on the progress made and aiming for more strategic, long-term impact.

RESOLVED – That, the update be noted.