Assembly Member and Local Councillors demand a dedicated town centre police team for Beckenham

The team would be in addition to the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and be a dedicated team for Beckenham town centre, to help tackle shoplifting (and assault of retail workers), and keep the Town Centre safe at night. Having a team focused on the Town Centre, one of the three main town centres in Bromley, would allow officers on the Safer Neighbourhood teams to focus on the residential areas where theft from and of vehicles is a major concern of residents.

Beckenham is a popular town centre with its growing nighttime economy. It is a major Transport hub – served by various buses, a junction for several rail routes, and a terminal for the tram network. These transport connections and vibrant high street bring many benefits, but can also make the area a target for criminals. 

Shoplifting is a major concern for local businesses, not just for lost products, but also the greater risk of assault to retail workers. The police have had success in catching perpetrators through targeted operations. However, a dedicated Town Centre Team would bring a more visible police presence to the town. It would enable the hard-working officers on the Safer Neighbourhood Ward Teams to focus on other crimes away from the Town Centre, like theft of/ from vehicles.

The growing nighttime economy in Beckenham also presents the need for a greater police presence at night. Beckenham’s transport links make it an attractive place to come for date night, celebrations and socialising. However, we must ensure that both residents living around the Town Centre, and those enjoying the vibrant high streets offering, are kept safe. 

Due to Beckenham having several rail and tram services, which terminate at Beckenham Junction, and the lack of ticket barriers means the town can be an attractive place for criminal activity. A town centre team would help ensure a visible policing presence to deter this.

Councillor Michael Tickner, who represents Beckenham Town and Copers Cope ward on Bromley Council, launched the campaign, saying:

“Beckenham has a beautiful and vibrant high street. Our town is home to some incredible shops and traders – we must protect them. Sadly, the Mayor of London has not prioritised local crimes, and now we are seeing shoplifting skyrocket. Our local police teams are doing all they can to fight back, which is why I am seeking to support them by calling for the extra resources they need!”

He continued:

“We cannot ignore the changing nature of Beckenham High Street either. The Town has a growing night-time economy. While it is great news for our businesses that people want to come to Beckenham to celebrate, we must ensure that both our residents and visitors are kept safe. Our Safer Neighbourhood teams are shift-based and often get called into Central London. They also patrol huge patches; they cannot always be in the town centre. That is why we need a dedicated team to help them. So, I am encouraging residents to sign this petition so we can get our police the extra support needed.”

Beckenham Town Centre is split between three electoral wards: Beckenham Town and Copers Cope, which covers the high street, Kelsey and Eden Park, which covers Croydon Road Recreation Ground, the Village Way Car Park and Kelsey Park, and Clock House, which covers the War Memorial, part of Croydon Road and half of Rectory Road.

London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, Thomas Turrell AM, added:

“Neighbourhood Policing has been gutted by Sadiq Khan. His recruitment crisis means we are short on officer recruitment; he has closed local police stations like West Wickham and Penge, leaving officers waiting for a bus instead of being out on the beat. We have some incredible officers in Bromley; they need to be able to get on and do their jobs. A dedicated town centre team for Beckenham will help them do this. It will free up the existing officers’ team, while also giving the town centre a dedicated team. These teams exist to focus on specific issues, in this case, shoplifting and the night-time economy. The Met Police Commissioner has spoken in the past about how restoring neighbourhood policing is key to restoring faith in the police. This will help the police achieve this.”

Sign the petition here