Statement of Licensing Policy (2008) WCC - Westminster City Council

Observed levels of nuisance and crime and disorder38. A night time activity study of observed behaviour was conducted by PedestrianMarket Research Services for one night in July 2002 between 23:00 and 04:00. 32Observations were undertaken for seven minutes in the hour on a single night. Someincidents would take place at times when there were no observations being made. Thetotal number of incidents was therefore likely to be substantially greater than thoserecorded. Observations were made at several points in each of the areas.• Soho had the highest observed levels of anti-social behaviour due to thepresence of large numbers of drunken people with high levels of audiblemusic and queues outside premises. Noise from mini-cab and ped-cabtouts was noted throughout most of the night.• In Chinatown audible noise in the area was high throughout the night, mainlyfrom buskers and people shouting/screaming in the streets.• In Leicester Square levels of anti-social behaviour increased between 02.00and 04.00 with evidence of mini cab touts, drunkenness and rowdy andaggressive behaviour with signifi cant disturbances throughout the night withhigh noise levels, drug dealing and pick pocketing. There was a menacing,aggressive atmosphere.• In the Covent Garden Piazza, before midnight, noise levels were generallyhigh and there were incidences of anti-social behaviour including peoplescreaming and urinating in the side streets.• Other areas in the West End Stress Area, nearly all the areas had someevidence of begging, urination, vomiting, mini-cab touting, busking, andshouting and screaming. There were some small pockets of increased levelsof anti-social behaviour noted in these areas, mainly due to people leavingbars and clubs late at night.• Queensway/Westbourne Grove had a relatively threatening atmospherethroughout the night, with a heavy police presence between 22.00–23.00.Incidents of anti-social behaviour throughout the night included shouting,singing, and fi ghting. Police were called to incidents. Noise levels weregenerally high, with traffi c as the dominant source of noise, but music fromseveral venues, alarms, and sirens also caused signifi cant disturbance.• Along Edgware Road, there were several incidences of anti-social behaviourearly on in the night, with the area considered to have a threateningatmosphere. The area close to Church Street provided evidence of underagedrinking and groups of youths acting in a hostile manner.14232 City of Westminster, 2002 Daytime and Night Time Pedestrian Flowcount Surveys (PMRS)