The new ‘Beat Stop’ scheme has enlisted 50 local businesses across the borough so far, including libraries and leisure centres, who will welcome local police officers to use their facilities while on duty. The initiative will allow officers to do simple things like charge their mobile devices and write reports while on-the-beat, maximising the time the police can spend patrolling without the need to go back to a station.  

The aim of the scheme is to increase on-the-ground police presence throughout the borough, improve trust and confidence within the community and aid crime prevention activities. ‘Beat Stop’ will also see the roll-out of a poster campaign to let officers know which venues have joined the initiative. These are also being mapped online, so officers can find their nearest location and opening times whilst on patrol. 

‘Beat Stop’ is part of the wider work the Council and Police are doing together to improve public safety across the Royal Borough of Greenwich, which includes the new Safer Estates enforcement team for council estates and the dedicated Woolwich Town Centre Police team. 

Cllr Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: “Tackling crime and violence is a number one priority for the Council and we know how important increased police presence can be in helping people feel safer in their neighbourhoods. Beat Stop is just one of the Council’s new initiatives to improve public safety and crackdown on crime.”