For those of us in the City who are overwhelmed with statistics every day, we understand the value data can bring when used to identify trends, however, it often doesn’t tell the full story. I have done my best to add some colour to the reported stats below from the City of London Police’s crime update for Q3 2024 (1st July – 30th September).
Let’s start with the bad news. The Bishopsgate Ward in Q3 2024 is the biggest hotspot area for crime in both the Eastern Cluster of the City and the City as a whole. London Liverpool Street Station is a major transport hub connecting well over 100 million people a year with London and the Southeast (it’s also the highest revenue generating in terms of retail income too).
Theft is the biggest crime type in Bishopsgate by some considerable margin. That includes shoplifting (85 incidents), theft from a person which includes mobile phone theft (48 incidents), bike theft (13 incidents), theft of a motor vehicle (2 incidents), and all other theft which includes bag theft, dippers and distraction thefts (93 incidents).
Because Bishopsgate is famed for its hospitality, lots of people frequent the area to make use of the wonderful array of bars and restaurants. It’s also a well-connected transport hub, so thieves can abscond quickly via tube, train, bus, black cab, bike or on foot.
When we compare stats year-on-year between Q3 2024 and Q3 2024, theft has increased. However, the good news is, when I compare theft between Q2 2024 and Q3 2024, it has decreased.
Overall monthly crime trending for Bishopsgate is as outlined below:
Anti-social behaviour crime has decreased from Q2 to Q3 2024, down from 74 reported incidents to 39 incidents. Within this category, the largest single issue is begging, which has driven the decrease. We regularly see those sitting next to ATM machines or working their way through crowds outside bars and restaurants asking for spare change in high footfall locations. Many of those begging in the City commute into Liverpool Street during rush hour because they can generate a much higher income than other areas across the capital. However, there is a growing subset of beggars who are genuinely homeless and need support. To address this, City Police have been leading Operation Luscombe, which is a multi-agency approach to addressing the root causes of begging and accessing services which can provide a different pathway. Within Bishopsgate, in Q3 2024, 8 Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) were issued to individuals. The CBOs are only ever issued to prolific offenders, and it bans them from specific acts and locations which are likely to lead to offences. With their removal from the equation, crime should – and has already started to – see a decrease. However, the City is struggling with the growing number of people presenting as homeless and rough sleeping again. Our new Rough Sleeper Assessment Centre in the City is helping, but demand is greater than supply. It is a matter which national government needs to help address through the housing shortage, as I recently raised at the Court of Common Council.
In other ASB data, drug related crime has increased, however, the increased detection rate has been caused by proactive traffic stops. Several arrests have also been made in and around night time economy areas which have then led to further arrests upon searching of offenders.
Between Q2 and Q3 2024, shoplifting, theft from a person and violent crime have all decreased.
With the festive season fast approaching, the City of London Police are working with security teams and agencies across Bishopsgate to ensure public safety co-ordinate the response to the expected increase in criminal activity.
It is worth having a read of the City Police’s Personal Safety crime prevention advice: https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/personal-safety-how-to-stay-safe/
I also note that the above stats purely relate to crime recorded by the City of London Police and are separate to those reported by the British Transport Police based at Liverpool Street Station.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be providing more details on public safety campaigns taking place over the festive season, so watch this space!