Hundreds of additional police officers will be deployed across London after dark this festive season as the Mayor, Metropolitan Police and local businesses work together to keep shoppers,
workers and revellers safe during the busiest time of the year.
Extra patrols will focus on popular Christmas destinations and nightlife hotspots, with officers working closely alongside retailers, restaurants, bars, clubs and local councils. The coordinated effort aims to deter crime, tackle anti-social behaviour swiftly and ensure Londoners and visitors can enjoy winter nights safely.
City Hall says record investment in neighbourhood policing is already delivering results. Neighbourhood crime across the capital has fallen by 14.6 per cent this financial year — around 16,000 fewer offences — driven by reductions in personal robbery, theft and vehicle crime.
In the West End, where millions are expected to visit during the festive “golden quarter” of trade, theft has dropped by more than 25 per cent since April. The improvement follows a doubling of neighbourhood police officers in the area, funded through the Mayor’s record support for the Met.
New figures also show significant progress against shoplifting. So far this year, police have solved 89 per cent more shoplifting cases than last year, with arrests rising from 956 to 1,950. Officers say close collaboration with businesses has been key to protecting retail workers and identifying prolific offenders.
Targeted policing operations will combine high-visibility patrols with plain-clothes officers in areas expecting higher footfall. Police will focus on tackling shoplifting, addressing anti-social behaviour quickly and bearing down on violence against women and girls.
According to the latest Office for National Statistics data, Londoners are now less likely to be victims of violent crime than people elsewhere in England and Wales.
The festive crackdown forms part of the New Met for London 2 Plan, backed by record City Hall investment to reduce crime and rebuild public confidence in policing.
December will also see the Met roll out a new, data-led approach to knife crime, funded by the Home Office. The initiative will identify knife crime hotspots in Westminster, Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark and Haringey, combining targeted enforcement with community-led interventions.
The renewed partnership comes as London enters the crucial final quarter of the year, which generates more than £1 billion for the capital’s businesses.
Earlier this week, the Mayor joined the Met Commissioner, local officers and community representatives on an evening patrol in Shoreditch, meeting business owners and seeing the enhanced partnership approach in action during one of the busiest periods of the year.
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.” Photo by Editor5807, Wikimedia commons.