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I wanted to provide you an update regarding Violent crime, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey. Last Friday and Saturday nights (17 and 18 August 2026) saw record numbers of police officers and partners out on patrol across St James’s and West End wards.
This is what we want the public and businesses to expect every single weekend: a strong, coordinated night-time presence across the West End of London, with police and partners visible and effective.
Over the two nights, Central West (AW) officers from the West End Town Centre Team and West End Crime Team were joined by colleagues from AW's Emergency Response Policing Team, Metropolitan Police Special Constables, Proactive, Neighbourhood Policing Teams from across London, and our Training Teams. In addition, there was amazing support from officers from Metropolitan Police Territorial Support Group, Interceptors and Roads & Transport Policing Command.
Partners patrolling with police officers included City Inspectors from Westminster Council and other representatives from the New West End Company, Heart of London Business Alliance, Night Stars and Transport for London.
The results speak for themselves:
• A man wanted for rape arrested within 15 minutes of the first officers beginning their patrols on Friday night.
• 101 people stopped and searched
• 20 arrests (11 on Friday, 9 on Saturday)
• Seven Section 59 notices given to people driving vehicles anti-socially
• Ten Traffic Offence reports
• Three vehicles seized
Westminster City Council officers reported 12 people for PSPO breaches, carried out three licensing inspections, and issued warning notices where breaches were identified. In fact, joint working was so productive that WCC inspectors stayed out later than planned to make the most of the opportunities.
Superintendent Natasha Evans, who leads Neighbourhood Policing in Westminster, said “These two nights have shown what can be achieved when we put the right people in the right place and work together with a common purpose: strong partnership work delivers strong results.”
Photo shows the briefing on Saturday night at Charing Cross Police Station.
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