Crackdown on anti-social behaviour at Bank Junction

A City of London Police five-day operation at Bank Junction has yielded significant results and cracked down on anti-social behaviour.

Following numerous reports of cyclists running red lights and near misses between road users and pedestrians, the City of London Police’s Cycle Response Unit concentrated their efforts at the major transport route during commuting hours between 11th and 15th September.

During the operation there were:

• 77 fixed penalty notices issued to cyclists. This was either to enrol on a cycle safety course or a fine of £50.
• 94 traffic offence warnings given.
• Nine illegal e-cycles or e-scooters seized for destruction.
• Around 150 crime prevention messages given to members of the public about phone snatching and cycle theft.

Police Sergeant Stuart Ford, City of London Police said:

“This operation was a significant success in reducing anti-social behaviour by road users at a big interchange in the City of London. The majority of cyclists are safe and obey the Highway Code, however, we dealt with a number who went through red lights, putting themselves and pedestrians at risk.

“We received a number of positive comments from people who were grateful for our intervention and advice on preventing phone snatching and cycle theft.”

Bank Junction is only accessible to buses and cyclists during peak office hours. Therefore, this operation was focused on cyclists and the impact on the increased number of office workers crossing the busy roads and navigating road works.

During the same period, the City of London Police’s Road Policing Unit carried out 115 vehicle interactions and arrested four people for road traffic offences. Nine vehicles were seized due to no insurance and five drivers were given points on their licence and fined for using their mobile phone.

James Thomson, Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, said:

“Public safety is our number-one priority – whether that’s on our roads, on our pavements, or while using public transport.  

“Working with the City of London Police we continue to ensure that the City remains the safest business district in the world – for all that live, work or visit the Square Mile."

The City of London Police relaunched its cycling capability this summer to help combat phone snatching, as well as other offences like drug and road offences. The cycle response unit is highly visible, approachable and able to quickly get through areas inaccessible to vehicles.

The force supports Vision Zero, which is a part of the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy and aims to eradicate road deaths and serious injuries from our roads by 2041. As supporters of Vision Zero, the City of London Police is working to ensure no-one is killed or seriously injured travelling in London.