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Westminster Police will be focusing on street crime and anti-social behaviour as well as targeting violent offenders to ensure that people visiting the area are able to enjoy themselves safely.
Up to 200 extra police officers and PCSOs will be providing reassurance and advice to people visiting nightspots concentrating on the busiest periods on Friday and Saturday nights. Officers from the Territorial Support Group, mounted branch, Transport for London, British Transport Police and officers from the Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary will be providing additional support.
Meanwhile screening arches and wands will be deployed to detect and deter people from bringing weapons into the area under the Met's drive to tackle knife crime, Operation Blunt 2.Officers will be providing safety advice to revellers and other visitors to help them stay safe and keep their property out of the reach of criminals.
Similar operations have been run in the West End in previous years in order to tackle anticipated seasonal rises in street crime and other offending during the summer holidays. Last year's operation, codenamed Tiffanie resulted in 191 arrests over seven weeks for a range of offences including drugs, weapons, assaults, pickpocketing and robbery.
Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Hill, from Westminster police, said: "Westminster continues to be one of the safest places to visit in the world with millions of people expected to travel into the West End over the coming weeks. We want them all to go away with good memories of their visit to the borough without criminals spoiling their fun.
"Anyone thinking of travelling to the West End to commit crime should think again. In addition to the extra uniformed officers and community support officers, there will be undercover police deployed in the area to target offenders."
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