New Safe Hub opens in Brixton to combat knife-enabled crime

KEY INFORMATION:

• A new "Safe Hub" has officially opened on Windrush Square in Brixton.
• The initiative is funded by the Home Office to tackle knife-enabled crime.
• Services include first aid, phone charging, and a sanctuary for those feeling threatened.
• The hub operates on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during peak crime periods.
• Recorded knife crime in Lambeth dropped by 36% between January 2025 and January 2026.

A new Safe Hub has officially opened on Windrush Square to help reduce knife crime in Brixton.

The project is a partnership between Lambeth Council, the Home Office, and the Brixton Business Improvement District (BID). Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP visited the site yesterday to mark the launch.

The hub provides a secure space for anyone feeling threatened or vulnerable in the town centre. It offers practical help such as first aid and phone charging. Already, the service has assisted over 300 people during its initial weeks of operation.

Targeted support for the town centre

The Safe Hub operates on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. These days were chosen because data shows a spike in local crime during these evenings. The project is part of a "hyperlocal" funding initiative targeting 50 areas across the country.

Home Office data identified a specific "hex" area for concentrated action. This zone includes Brixton Road, Electric Avenue, and Effra Road. Beyond the hub, the initiative funds additional CCTV and data-driven policing.

Councillor Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council, said: “Brixton is the bustling heart of South London, and we’re determined to make it safer for everyone, especially after school and during busy evenings. The Safe Hub is Brixton’s community spirit put into action.”

Reaching out to young people

The crackdown includes on-street youth outreach conducted by local partners. The Christian International Peace Service (CHIPs) has already delivered over 170 hours of patrols. These teams provide active bystander training to help de-escalate violent situations.

Parks teams are also working to deter crime in areas like St Matthew’s Church Yard. They recently cleared overgrown greenery to improve CCTV visibility. This work led to the discovery of a hidden weapon, showing the immediate impact of the efforts.

A downward trend in local crime

The Brixton initiative builds on wider safety efforts across the borough. Lambeth has seen a 36% decrease in recorded knife crime over the last year. Police data suggests many suspects travel into Brixton from other areas.

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: “Communities deserve to feel safe in the places where they live, work and travel, and the Brixton Safe Hub is an important step in delivering exactly that.”

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from Council / Local Authority. Document: **Policing Minister joins launch of new Brixton ‘Safe Hub’ as part of local knife-crime crackdown Source Link: https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/policing-minister-joins-launch-of-new-brixton-safe-hub-as-part-of-local-knife-crime-crackdown/

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