Soho Specials stamp out crime

A team of 30 Special Constables from Westminster Borough are impressing locals in Soho with their approach to making the area safer.

The dedicated team have been patrolling alongside regular officers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights since May, during which they have responded to 108 emergency calls, made 14 arrests, stopped and searched 72 people and conducted overt visits to more than 30 licensed premises.

Soho residents, businesspeople and visitors alike are now well accustomed to seeing the Specials out and about – not only on foot, but also on police mountain bikes and in vehicles. Working alongside other specialist teams, the Specials are helping to keep police visibility in the area as high as possible. To help improve their skills, a growing number of Westminster Specials are taking advantage of training offered by the borough, including cycling courses and covert CCTV training.

Superintendent Adam Loxley from Westminster Borough, who is leading the police effort to clean up Soho said:“Specials play an increasingly important role in keeping the capital safe and I’m encouraged by the fantastic results the Soho team are delivering on a weekly basis.”

Councillor Jonathan Glanz of Westminster City Council, who accompanied the Specials on patrol recently, said:“I was very impressed with the energy and dedication displayed by these volunteers who demonstrated a real commitment to making Soho a safer place to live, work and visit. These people often put themselves in harm’s way to keep the public safe and I admire their grit and determination.”