This winter, independent retailers have an opportunity to help make town centres safer, more welcoming, and more resilient.
Building on the success of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, the Winter of Action focuses on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour during the busy festive period.
What is the Winter of Action?
A two-month national campaign bringing police, councils, retailers, businesses and community partners together to deliver visible action that improves safety and confidence in local high streets.
Key Themes
- The campaign will spotlight activity in three priority areas:
- Retail Crime: Tackling theft, abuse of retail workers and organised crime, with a focus on prolific offenders.
- Street Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour: Continued visible patrols, enforcement, and prevention work.
- Night-Time Safety & VAWG: Addressing alcohol-related disorder, spiking, and violence against women and girls.
Local areas can tailor activity to their own needs, including:
- High-visibility town-centre patrols
- Swift enforcement and problem-solving
- Partnership work with BCRPs, BIDs, councils, transport providers and local businesses
- Support for vulnerable groups
- Night-time economy safeguarding
- Environmental improvements
How Independent Retailers Can Get Involved
- Share your success stories: Email saferstreetscomms-policing@homeoffice.gov.uk
- Use Winter of Action branding to strengthen your local messaging
- Amplify national content across December and January
- Tag your social posts: #SaferStreetsWinter and #WinterOfAction
- Make use of ready-to-use campaign assets (newsletter templates, social content, hashtags)
Key Dates
November 2025 – Build-up
- USDAW Respect for Shopworkers Week
- National Safer Business Action Week
- APCC/NPCC Annual Summit
December 2025 – Launch & Delivery
- Early December: Ministerial visits and national launch
- 25 Nov–10 Dec: VAWG 16 Days of Action
- High-visibility policing during peak shopping weeks
January 2026 – Delivery & Impact
- Ongoing visits, media activity, and social campaigning
- 6 December: Small Business Saturday tie-in
- Linked national activity: Counter Terrorism Policing winter vigilance campaign
Why This Matters
Independent retailers play a vital role in keeping high streets thriving. By supporting the Winter of Action, you help build safer shopping environments, strengthen community confidence, and ensure that crime and anti-social behaviour have no place in our town centres.
For queries on national communications, contact: saferstreetscomms-policing@homeoffice.gov.uk
