FOI release

Freedom of Information Request – Anti-Social Behaviour and Dispersal Powers

Case reference FOI2026/02067

Received 6 October 2026

Published 5 November 2026

Request

Anti-social behaviour incidents Please provide the total number of anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents recorded by the force in: * 2015/16 * 2020/21 * 2023/24 * 2024/25 * 2025/26 to date (or the most recent period available) Dispersal powers For the same periods, please provide: * The number of dispersal powers used under Section 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (or equivalent recording category used by the force). * The number of arrests for breaches of dispersal directions, where recorded. Other anti-social behaviour powers For the same periods, please provide: * The number of Community Protection Notices issued. * The number of Closure Orders obtained. Current ASB picture Please identify the three policing areas, neighbourhoods, wards or locations within your force area that recorded the highest number of anti-social behaviour incidents during 2025/26 to date (or the latest available year). For each location, please provide: * The location name. * The number of ASB incidents recorded. Initiatives and funding Please provide details of any force-wide anti-social behaviour or hotspot policing initiatives currently operating, including: * Initiative name. * Start date. * Brief description. Has the force received Home Office funding for hotspot policing or anti-social behaviour reduction since April 2022? If yes, please provide: * Year of award. * Amount awarded. * Area(s) targeted. If any of the requested data is held by financial year rather than calendar year, please provide it in the format most readily available. If any part of this request would exceed the appropriate cost limit, please provide the information that can be supplied within the limit and advise how the request might be refined. I am happy to receive the information electronically, preferably in spreadsheet format where available. Kind regards, Joanna Kent Senior Journalist Team Manager BBC News South England

Response

Attached spreadsheet for Q1-Q4.

Q5 / Q6

2024/25 Hotspot Policing Initiative

• Initiative Name: Home Office Hotspot Policing Programme 2024/25

• Start Date: April 2024

• Funding Award: £1 million

• Area(s) Targeted: Crime and anti-social behaviour hotspots across the City of London.

• Brief Description: The programme delivered targeted, high-visibility patrols and problem-solving activity in locations identified through analysis of crime and anti-social behaviour data. Activity focused on:

o Night-time economy violence, including violence against the person (VAP) and violence against women and girls (VAWG) offences.

o Business robbery and retail crime.

o Personal robbery and snatch theft offences.

o Anti-social behaviour associated with rough sleeping.

2025/26 Hotspot Policing Initiative

• Initiative Name: Home Office Hotspot Policing Programme 2025/26

• Start Date: April 2025

• Funding Award: £1 million

• Area(s) Targeted: Crime and anti-social behaviour hotspots across the City of London.

• Brief Description: The programme continued the delivery of targeted hotspot patrols and problem-solving activities in locations identified through ongoing analysis of crime, anti-social behaviour and vulnerability data. Priority areas included:

o Night-time economy violence, including VAP and VAWG offences.

o Business robbery and retail crime.

o Personal robbery and snatch theft offences.

o Anti-social behaviour associated with rough sleeping.

In addition, Hotspot Action Funding was used to support seasonal crime reduction activity, including Operation Tinsel, the City of London Police's Christmas policing operation. Funding supported enhanced patrol deployments and crime prevention activity during the peak festive trading period, targeting retail crime, robbery and anti-social behaviour associated with increased footfall.

During 2025/26, the force enhanced its deployment approach through the introduction of an evidence-based hyperlocal tasking model, enabling resources to be directed to the highest-harm locations and times to maximise crime and anti-social behaviour reduction outcomes.

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Documents

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