Mayor, police and businesses working together to ensure safer Winter Nights this festive season

• Hundreds of extra police officers will be on patrol after dark particularly at popular Christmas hotspots working closely with retailers, restaurants clubs, bars and local councils to keep London safe
• Across London, record investment from City Hall has helped neighbourhood crime has reduced by 14.6 per cent this financial year - with 16,000 fewer offences - driven by a reduction in personal robbery, theft person and vehicle crime.
• New figures show Mayor's record funding for the Met and doubling of police officers in London's West End has contributed to a 25 per cent drop in theft and a 89 per cent increase in the number of more shoplifting cases being solved
• Action comes as millions flock to London's world-class bars, restaurants and shopping venue to celebrate and enjoy a night out in 'golden quarter' of trade

As the capital's world-class shopping venues, high streets, restaurants and bars gear up for the busy festive season, the Mayor of London, Met and partners are stepping up their collective efforts to keep everyone safe after dark particularly at popular Christmas hotspots.

Hundreds of additional officers will be on patrol after dark to keep communities safe over the busy festive period, working closely with local businesses and councils to protect shoppers, retail workers, and everyone enjoying a night out.

Targeted police operations alongside plain clothes and high visibility patrols are planned in areas expecting higher footfall, with police and partners working together to identify and go after prolific shoplifters, tackle anti-social behaviour quickly and bear down on all male violence against women and girls.

This partnership led approach has helped theft in London's West End to come down by more than 25 per cent since April, with the Mayor's record funding for the Met helping to double the number of local neighbourhood police officers on patrol in the heart of the capital.

The latest ONS crime stats show you are less likely to be a victim of violent crime in London than in the rest of England and Wales. Across London neighbourhood crime, including burglary and theft, is down 14 per cent, with 16,000 fewer offences - driven by a decrease in personal robbery, theft and vehicle crime.

So far this year, the Met has solved 89 per cent more shoplifting cases, working closely with local businesses to protect retail workers and communities - with arrests for these offences rising year-on-year rising from 956 to 1,950.**

This enhanced approach to hotspot policing is part of the New Met for London 2 Plan which is being supported with record investment from City Hall - not just to tackle crime but to rebuild public confidence and trust in our police which is so vital to policing by consent.

December will also see the Met using an innovative approach in their continued fight against knife crime. Backed with funding from the Home Office, this new approach will use data analysis to pinpoint locations in Westminster, Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark, and Haringey where knife crime is most prevalent and then deliver locally tailored police and community interventions.

The renewed partnership, enforcement and outreach work by the police, partners and Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime comes as London heads into the 'golden quarter' of trade which is so vital for London's businesses generating more than £1billion - and is part of the ongoing work to deliver a new Met for London where communities are put first.

The Mayor yesterday (Thursday, 11^th December) joined the Met Commissioner, local officers and community representatives on a patrol after dark in bustling Shoreditch to see the enhanced partnership work in action, meeting local business owners and hearing how important this time of the year is to them.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "Nowhere compares to London at Christmas and with just 12 days left until the big day, our high streets, retailers, pubs, bars and restaurants are set for some roaring trade.

"I've been out with officers today to see how they're working with local businesses and communities to ensure everyone out and about shopping, attending a Christmas party or meeting friends for a drink is safe after dark on their night out.

"My record investment in the Met means more officers are visible on our streets and working with retailers and local businesses to drive down neighbourhood crime with 16,000 fewer offences across the capital in the last year. Positive outcomes for shoplifting have also improved dramatically thanks to better partnership work and collaboration. Policing in the West End has also doubled helping to drive thefts down by 25 per cent. I'll continue to do all I can working with businesses, communities and the police to build on these reductions and deliver a safer London, Christmas and 2026 for everyone."

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Louise Puddefoot, leading the Met's Winter Nights operation, said: "Communities have told us they value highly visible and locally focused policing, and we aim to provide that with this operation. It is really important to us that both the local community, and people visiting the shops, bars and clubs in this city, feel safe and are able to enjoy themselves during the festive period. We are committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour across the capital, and are deploying local teams with specialist resources, such as live facial recognition, traffic interceptors and our e-bike teams, to target criminality in town centres.

"Arrests in the hotspot areas were up 34 per cent and crime was down 18 per cent during a similar operation over the summer and into autumn. We will continue to work with partners to focus resources on tackling the issues that most affect our neighbourhoods - such as violence, sexual offences, retail crime, phone theft, and the dangerous and criminal use of e-bikes and e-scooters."

Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said: "Christmas is hospitality's busiest time of the year, with Londoners and visitors taking advantage of the capital's world-class pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels, to name a few.

"With millions descending on London during December, keeping everyone safe is our shared priority and I'm pleased to see this partnership between the Mayor, Met and local businesses."

Hannah Wadey CEO of Safer Business Network said: "Safer Business Network and our business members welcome the Mayor's continued investment in keeping London safe during the busiest time of the year. The drop in neighbourhood crime shows the impact of genuine partnership across our high streets, and we remain firmly committed to working together with the Met, local councils and our stakeholders to create welcoming, secure and vibrant town centres for everyone."

Laura Citron OBE, CEO of London & Partners, which runs Visit London, said: "London is one of the most popular festive destinations: we see visitors from all around the world flock to the capital to soak in the magical atmosphere.

"2025 is set to be another big year, from dazzling light displays in the West End to indulgent Christmas markets by the river. New attractions include ice skating in Leicester Square, a Christmas pop-up shop at Buckingham Palace and indoor family fairground Winter Funland at Olympia, all of which are taking place for the first time this year.

"It's great to see the added support in place to keep visitors and Londoners safe during the festive season."

Dee Corsi, Chief Executive, New West End Company, commented: "Tackling crime in the West End, the UK's most renowned destination, requires a unique partnership approach between business, police and local government. The Met's renewed focus on the West End, bolstered by additional funding from City Hall, is something we have long called for - with encouraging progress to date. As the voice of over 600 West End businesses, we are also able to play a key role, building up a hyper-local intelligence picture and strengthening the vital link between business and the police. Together, we know we can drive real change for the area."

Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney said: "The festive season should be full of fun, and as home to some of London's best nightlife, we're making sure everyone feels safe as they enjoy the celebrations here in Hackney.

"That's why we're working hand-in-hand with the Met and our businesses - it's great to know we'll have extra officers ensuring we're safe and secure this Christmas."