London anti-social behaviour hotspots named by Met
EPAMore than 30 locations in London have been named by the Metropolitan Police as the most likely to attract anti-social behaviour (ASB), theft and street crime.
The mayor of London's office said increased police patrols would be at hotspots over the summer, with intelligence-led plain-clothed officers to target prolific offenders.
It is part of the Home Office's national Safer Streets Summer Initiative running from 30 June until the end of September.
Deputy Commissioner for the Met, Matt Jukes, said the force was tackling "the crimes that matter most to Londoners".
The identified town centre and high street locations include Stratford, Woolwich town centre, Finsbury Park, Croydon town centre, Shepherds Bush Green, Elephant and Castle, Seven Sisters and the West End.
It will be a multi-agency operation by the Met, the mayor's office for policing and crime (MOPAC), local authorities and community partners.
Hannah Wadey from business crime prevention body the Safer Business Network said when people felt safe, town centres thrived.
According to the Met, the force has solved 163% more cases of shoplifting in the first six weeks of this financial year compared to last.
It added that theft from a person was down by 15.6% and personal robbery down by 12.8% over the same period.
Deputy mayor for policing and crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said: "The safety of our town centres is more than just policing – it's about building stronger, more connected communities where everyone feels secure.
Of the 32 town centres and high street locations named as experiencing the highest levels of ASB, theft and street crime, the top 20 were:
- Barking Town Centre
- Brixton Town Centre
- Camden Town
- Catford – Lewisham High Street
- Croydon Town Centre
- Ealing Town Centre
- Elephant and Castle
- Finsbury Park
- Woolwich Town Centre
- Ilford Town Centre
- Kingston Town Centre
- Romford Town Centre
- Seven Sisters
- Shepherds Bush Green
- Shoreditch Town Centre
- Silver Street
- Stratford
- Walthamstow
- West End
- Whitechapel
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