Replay + Q&A Webinar Met Police - 6th Nov 2025

On Thursday 6 November, CIPL hosted a Webinar regarding the safety and security of our children in and around the South Kensington area.

See the replay here:

As you are aware, there were a series of assaults on our children during the prior school year. Following these incidents, a CIPL member reached out to the Member of Parliament for Kensington and Bayswater and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, to seek their involvement in assuring the safety and security of our children.

The parties kindly agreed to host a Webinar for parents. The presenters included:

• Mr Joe POWELL, MP for Kensington and Bayswater
• Mr Owen RENOWDEN, Superintendent of Police for Kensington and Chelsea
• Mr Greig BAKER-DOYLE, Inspector of Police for Kensington

During the 45-minute Webinar, the presenters talked about the measures in place and responded to parents’ questions.

Next steps proposed include:

• Information and awareness sessions for the students of the school
• More regular engagement with the school, including the Proviseure and the DSL
• Community initiatives to compel manufacturers to disable stolen mobile phones

Send us any additional questions until 5pm on 14 November 2025 :
https://forms.gle/zULk2GgovoHyEUn26

👮 Engage directly with the Metropolitan Police:
Met Engage

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Q&A

Please outline the additional security measures that have been put in place by the Police following the assaults on LFCG children last school year, and the specific locations.

We have sort to carry out patrols around the school end time notably at the end of terms. Whilst this cannot be a daily occurrence due to resourcing officers have carried out meaningful patrols in and around south Kensington area.

Will these measures stay in place during the school year?

These patrols will continue and I have sort additional asset from our Q car (unmarked) proactive team whom are focused on the 2 wheeled enabled suspects linked to thefts.

How do you decide the quantum of resources that you apply to the LFCG environs, and the timing of their deployment?

We will deploy based on reports made which will be highlighted post any reporting. Having reviewed the data there are no specific times or days linked to the school alongside any reporting crime types. Reviewing the Maps the timing remain outside the school hours – 8pm – 11pm with more focus in the Knightsbridge area.

What do you recommend when an incident occurs? What is your process when an incident is reported to you?

All members of public are advised to call 999/101 with information so that we can collate data in order to construct our patrols accordingly. Whilst Whats app groups are a great source of information they are not suited to crime data stats. We also encourage the use of Met engage for all communications.

We understand the law constrains the Police in terms of prosecuting juvenile miscreants, even repeat offenders? Is this true? If so, what can be done in Parliament?

Repeat offenders are dealt with like any other suspect of crime. But we can seek to implement Criminal Behaviour orders at the point of conviction if the CPS will endorse. This can lead to banning to geographical areas.

What can parents do to educate their children on how to stay safe?

There are plenty of informative measures listed on the MPS web page around public safety. We also still have linked CYP officers embedded within the wards who would be willing to attend the school and carry out education pieces.

Can the Police propose to the school an education and awareness campaign for students?
As above we are always willing to provide schools with any material they may need alongside RBKC education unit.

What more can we as parents be doing to prevent such incidents from happening? 

Sadly we will never stop crimes taking place but as above education regards some self responsibility by students such as keeping bags secure / not walking along the street with phones in hands etc will help as a reduction.

Have you observed such incidents in the neighbourhood or is the LFCG an isolated case?

Attached is a copy of the last 12 weeks crimes and mapping. There is no direct correlation to the school and linked series of crimes.

What can parents and the school do to teach girls specifically about staying safe, in and outside the school, and more generally, given the specific types of violence they face? (See Violence against women and girls in 2025)

The MPS has an array of help guides online and we send out updates in the Met Engage Platform that was spoken about in the webinar. We also carry out VAWG walk and talks that can be arranged via your local Ward team.

While punitive measures are necessary, we know they are not sufficient to lower criminality in a sustainable manner. What are the authorities doing in terms of social, anti-discrimination and employment programs to support impoverished and marginalized youth, and in terms of wider rehabilitation programs for those who have already committed offenses?

RBKC to update

In an increasingly polarized society, crime is being used as a tool to discriminate against and further marginalize foreigners and migrants. What policies do you have in place to avoid this?

As it stands we are seeking to police all current demonstrations taking place that have been seen to target Hotels and venues associated with immigrants. We continue to work closely with the Home office around these venues and seek to bring any suspects to justice.

There used to be armed police patrolling this block, what has happened to that?

Due to amendments of deployment to diplomatic venues it may have been necessary to remove officers from certain embassy located nearby. This would mean a reduction in a permanent presence outside the venues and more of a drive by tactic.

How can we report drug dealers operating around the Lycee?

101/999 are always the traditional way to call in and sighting of crime. In addition the use of Met Engage app and online reporting are the digital method.

What preventative measures have been taken after this year attacks so that such incidents do not repeat?

Leading on from the events in 2024 we have committed to our tasking to the area. Whilst not all officers will be in overt clothing taskings have allowed us to utilise our proactive officers whom have targeted the two wheeled suspects whom have been known to target the area for theft maters. We have also factored in overt policing to the museum area working alongside our RBKC wardens to enrich the area wit reassurance.

What measures can be taken by the Lycée to also ensure the safety of the students amongst themselves around the lycée ? And inside the lycée ?

As the MPS we are happy to attend the school to carry out informative educational inputs to students and teachers. The school would need to contact ourselves and we can arrange a tailor made briefing for students to take part in. this can involve drugs / stop and search and other policing matters. We also promote the fact that local ward team can drop in to speak on adhoc basis alike.

How about safety in the tube?

We work very closely with BTP colleagues and ensure that we share intel with them which is a two way process. We also seek to carry out operations with them such as drugs dog and knife arches.

I’m very concerned about a man who regularly parks in a red three-wheeled car outside the Pret a Manger near the Lycee. It is pretty obvious he is a drug dealer. This is shocking and unacceptable. Why is this being allowed to continue?

I would like to attain more information about this nominal and request the parent to contact me with more details.

Did you catch any phone snatchers that operated in the area last year ?

Yes we did of which 2 have been charged with the relevant offences.

What needs to be done by MET or GOV UK so that such teenage offenders are not released under small cautions? 2 of the 3 offenders from 30/01/2025 where released on caution during the investigation and committed further robberies

Await update form MP Powell

As parents we are very concerned about the problems caused by young people carrying knives

As its stands the MPS are robust in dealing with anyone carrying knives. We have carried out search arch operations outside and near to schools as a deterrent. We would be happy to conduct one near your venue.

What kind of cooperation exists between the local police and schools to respond quickly to any potential threats or suspicious behaviour?

We have a very clear set of communications direct to the school. We also hold regular meetings with the principals across the borough.

How did you investigate those offences ?

I'm not sure what offences this relates ?

Could you please advise about the current legislation that applies in those circumstances . In other words, we would like to know what young people are allowed and not allowed to do with knives.

All knives can be surrendered to any police station. Again there are plenty of informative information of the MPS web page.