The investment comes at a time of increasing scrutiny on crime in London, and a wide recognition that international perceptions of safety in the capital must be addressed.
Directly funded by more than 800 local businesses, the investment is being deployed by New West End Company, a Business Improvement District (BID) which represents over 100 streets in the West End and Mayfair – including the world-renowned Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street. The BID has committed to investing more than £4m annually into local security operations across the next five years.
As a result of the fresh investment, local businesses, workers and visitors can expect to see an immediate increase in the BID’s security presence across the West End. From 1 April, New West End Company significantly increased the size of its existing 24/7, 365 on-street security team to deliver enhanced coverage during peak footfall periods and continue to respond proactively to an evolving crime landscape.
The growth in the BID’s on-street security team is part of a year one investment of £5m which New West End Company is making into West End security infrastructure. Significant projects include the start of a phased roll-out of a 24/7 monitored CCTV network across the district, for which initial site mapping is underway.
In late 2025, New West End Company became the first London BID to achieve national accreditation as a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP). With the certification now in place, the BID is now expanding its in-house team with a permanent BCRP role, in order to further strengthen intelligence sharing between local businesses and police.
The investment from New West End Company coincides with a step-change in the Metropolitan Police’s approach to tackling volume crime, including theft from person and retail crime. Over the last 12 months, the Met’s strategic deployment of technology, more officers and innovative ways of partnership working in hotspots including the West End is beginning to deliver results. In the West End, theft from person (including phone theft) is down 40 per cent in the last financial year.
Additional ring-fenced funding of £4.5m from the Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime has also been unlocked to create a West End intelligence ‘Command Cell’ to tackle mobile phone theft and other volume crime.
Dee Corsi, Chief Executive, New West End Company, commented: “As one of the most visited and visible destinations in Europe, keeping the West End safe requires coordinated action. This additional investment into both our on-street team and back-end security operations will enable us to work more effectively with local business and our long-term partners at the Met Police to share intelligence, run joint operations and support targeted enforcement.
“Crime of this nature is not going to be solved by one organisation alone – partnership working remains absolutely critical, with everyone playing their part. Together, we can make the West End safer and stronger.”
Superintendent Natasha Evans, the Met’s neighbourhood policing lead for Westminster, said: “We’ve cut theft in the West End by 40 per cent in the last financial year – meaning more than 6,400 fewer victims – and personal robbery is also down by a quarter. These results show what can be achieved through data-led policing, targeted enforcement and close partnership working. Our joint approach sends a clear message: crime will not be tolerated, and we will continue working together to make the West End even safer for businesses and visitors.”
In December 2025, West End businesses voted decisively to renew the mandate of New West End Company, unlocking a record £60 million of dedicated investment into the area, in line with local business priorities. The verdict was returned after a month-long ballot process, with 99% businesses[i] voting ‘Yes’ to New West End Company’s new business plan and vision for 2026-2031, titled “The Future is West End”.
The ambitious plan is designed to have a long-term impact on the district, driving growth, attracting talent and visitors, and in partnership with local stakeholders, making it stronger, safer and even more competitive.
[i] 99% of eligible businesses; combined voter turnout across the occupier and property BID was 53%.
