James Dinwiddie (Chair, Team London Bridge), Chief Superintendent Wayne Chance (Southwark Police), Chris Harris (Chair, Southwark Security & Resilience Forum)

Of all our services, Team London Bridge’s ‘Safe and Secure’ programme is one of the most valued by our member businesses. Since the introduction of the London Bridge Business Improvement District (BID) in 2006, we have been working hard to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour as well as reducing the fear of crime in and around our businesses. 

We have recently renewed our contract with Southwark Police who continue to commit more resources to the area.  This agreement has secured: 

·    More Police: average 35 extra Police patrol hours per week within BID area

·    Four special Police operations targeting theft from bars and rough sleeping

·   16 business liaison visits by local Police per week

·    Publication and distribution of quarterly crime report and crime statistics for BID area

Our businesses have told us that they prefer these additional services from the Police to other models for neighbourhood safety, such as wardens or ranger services.  Indeed, the results make reassuring reading with crime figures static over the past year despite rise in population and footfall, down 15% overall since start of Business Improvement District. 

The partnership has also contributed to significant reductions in begging and rough sleeping in the area as well as allowing us to identify crime hot spots and work with affected businesses to address the causes.   

Wayne Chance, Chief Superintendent of Southwark Police said,  ‘Southwark Police’s partnership with Team London Bridge has enabled us to forge closer links with the business community. Our officers call in at around 15 businesses every week within the London Bridge Business Improvement District and the additional patrol hours that our partnership provides helps us deliver a Police service that understands the needs of local businesses. Southwark Police are delighted to continue our contract with Team London Bridge and maintain the area as a place where people are proud to live, work and visit.’

Other Safe & Secure initiatives from Team London Bridge include SE1 Pubwatch events in partnership with Better Bankside, founding membership of the Southwark Security & Resilience Forum, partnership in the London First Police-Business research programme and welcoming a new Counter Terrorism Patrol Team to the area.

For more details about our Safe and Secure services, to sign up to the SE1 Pubwatch Group or to alert us to any safety concerns your business has please contact Shane Clarke on 020 7407 4701 / shane@teamlondonbridge.co.uk