13 April 2001
The Conservative-run authority has come up with the plan in response to the dwindling number of police officers covering the area.
Figures published in the borough's five-year plan, A white paper for Westminster, show that the number of police officers in the borough has dropped from 1,800 in 1997 to 1,500 now. 'Lack of investment in our police force combined with low morale has created a recruitment crisis,' the report says.
The squad will patrol the streets in an effort to curb drunken and anti-social behaviour among the estimated 125,000 people who crowd into Soho and theatreland on Friday and Saturday nights.
The officers will take a proactive approach, 'clearing the streets' of criminal and nuisance behaviour such as drug dealing and urination in public places.
Enforcers will also monitor bars, clubs and restaurants to make sure they are sticking to the terms of their licences.
The enforcement squad is described as a possible first step towards the creation of a 'civic guardian force' that would take responsibility from the police for combating public order offences.
The leader of Westminster council, Simon Milton, said the proposals would 'bring far-reaching changes which will benefit both residents and businesses'.
PFapr2001
