Brixton Town Centre - Neighbourhood Policing Newsletter

Issue 2: October 2025

Message from the Inspector

It’s been another busy couple of months for the Brixton Teams, and I am incredibly proud of the work that continues day in, day out across Brixton. We have seen some fantastic results- from the new Town Centre Team starting, to our ongoing work tackling antisocial behaviour and retail crime. As the nights draw in, we’re stepping up patrols to keep people safe and ensure Halloween and Guy Fawkes can be enjoyed without causing ASB to others. Thank you for your continued support, challenge and community spirit. Your engagement with us- whether through community meetings, social media, or a quick chat in the street – makes a real difference in shaping our priorities.

Inspector Val Charles

Criminal Behaviour Order Success
A prolific offender has been issued with a CBO thanks to the excellent partnership work of Brixton officers and The Safer Business Network and Brixton BID. Nicola Simpson has been causing harm to the community for a long time but now has conditions not to enter any Greggs, Boots or Co-Op stores within Lambeth & Southwark at any time, and not to enter Brixton Town Centre and surrounding area at all. This CBO lasts for 5 years and shows that with excellent partnership working, we are actively targeting those who cause harm to our community in Brixton.

Safer Streets Summer Plan
The Summer Plan was a Met Wide campaign of reducing offending in key areas across London. Brixton Town Centre was nominated due to a high volume of ASB. The campaign involved increasing our presence within the Town Centre through means such as bidding for outside resources and utilising a budget given to us. This led to 183 arrests for offences such as drug dealing & possession, robbery and theft. Alongside enforcement, we are working with the Local Authority to seek out funding revenues to remove street furniture that is contributing to ASB as well as placing up enforcement signs.

Live Facial Recognition
We have now held a total of 3 Live Facial Recognition (LFR) operations in Brixton. We understand that this tactic must be used sensitively, appropriately and proportionately. Feedback from the community has been very positive. The operations have seen a total of 47 arrests made, all of whom were wanted either by the police or courts. Offences have ranged from robbery, to serious assaults against women, possession of indecent images of children, theft and many others.

Shoplifting Award for Retail Crime Lead Officer
Inspector Watson is the retail crime lead in Lambeth and has been instrumental in ensuring positive outcomes for those committing offences in Brixton. As a result of this work, Inspector Watson was nominated for an award by our partners in the Safer Business network. In October, Inspector Watson attended the ceremony and discovered he had won! This was a special award, having been nominated by our partners. Inspector Watson continues to lend his expertise to businesses in Brixton. We will continue to work with our partners to pursue those committing crime against our business community.

Current Priorities and Initiatives
• Autumn Nights – A collaboration of high visibility and plain clothes patrols across Brixton Town Centre, continuing to focus on reducing ASB, violent crime, and VAWG, and apprehending wanted persons. 

• Retail Crime Operations – Dedicated operations focusing on those offenders targeting businesses. 

• Problem-Solving Partnership Work – Working with the Local Authority and local partners to address the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods.

Community Engagement & Upcoming Events
We are running the following drop in surgeries;

24th October 2025; 1500-1600 – Brixton Recreation Centre
29th October 2025; 1200 – 1300 – Loughborough Park Community Centre
11th November 2025; 1300 – 1400 – Loughborough Park Community Centre
6th November 2025; 1400 – 1500 – Moorlands Community Centre
22nd November 2025; 1500 – 1600 – Moorlands Community Centre
27th November 2025; 1700 – 1800 – Brixton Recreation Centre

If you know of a venue that would be happy to have us host a drop in surgery, please contact the team (details below). We are committed to finding a range of venues to make these sessions as accessible as possible.
 

For details on upcoming ward panel meetings, please visit https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/met/lambeth/brixton-windrush/about-us/top-reported-crimes-in-this-area

Your Local Policing Team Leaders

Public Safety Advice
• Be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables secured in busy public spaces.
• Report any suspicious behaviour via 101 or online at www.met.police.uk
• In an emergency, always dial 999
• Feeling unsafe due to environmental issues? Report online at StreetSafe | Police.uk
• Report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
• Keep up to date on X @LambethMPS

Stay informed with Met Engage | Metropolitan Police