The West End is one of the world’s busiest destinations, welcoming millions of visitors every year. Its concentration of global brands, hospitality venues and businesses also makes it an attractive target for organised criminal activity. And yet, our data shows that the overwhelming majority of visitors feel safe.
Our inaugural ‘Open and Safe: The West End Evidence Report’ brings together the latest data on crime trends, visitor perceptions and the impact of investment in safety across the district. The findings are clear: partnership working is delivering tangible results, with crime reducing in key areas, visitor confidence remaining high and footfall continuing to grow.
This progress is underpinned by significant investment and collaboration. New West End Company is investing £23 million in security operations over the next five years, while the Metropolitan Police, Westminster City Council and businesses across the district continue to strengthen their response to crime through dedicated investment, targeted enforcement, intelligence sharing and new technology.
The report demonstrates what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together with a shared purpose. It also sets out the next steps needed to build on this progress and ensure the West End is one of the safest, most welcoming and economically resilient destinations in the world.
