Capital street crime blitz launched

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Operation Tiffanie is targeting crime and anti-social behaviour in central London over the summer holidays, in particular "hugger muggers" who befriend revellers as they leave clubs or pubs in order to steal their belongings.

The first phase of the operation, which began on Friday night with support from Westminster City Council, involves 50 extra police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in high-visibility policing to advise and reassure people of the threats in night-spots around Soho, and to deter criminals.

Commander Steve Allen, head of the Met Police in Westminster, said: "We are expecting millions of people to visit the West End during the summer.

"I would like to warn anyone who is thinking about travelling into the West End to commit crime to think again. Not only will there be more police and community safety officers out on the streets but we will be deploying undercover officers to target offenders in the area."

Information from the CCTV centre in Westminster will also be passed on to officers on the streets so they can respond quickly to incidents.

Last year's Operation Vardar led to 312 arrests over the same school holiday period for offences including pickpocketing, robbery, drug supply and possession, possessing offensive weapons and public order.

The difference this year is the emergence of "hugger muggings", which are mainly non-violent, according to Mr Allen.

"In the summer, people wear the types of clothing which are light and easy to steal from," he said.

He added: "The majority of victims are men on their own. A consequence of the safety campaigns we have done over the last few years is that it is rare to see a woman on her own at night."