I regularly speak to the media and other stakeholders across the City, Government, policing and with trade organisations. Below are a number of news items relating to my work. Some of these articles require a subscription to be able to read them.
In particular, I have been campaigning for the inclusion of fraud as a priority harm in the Online Safety Bill – now the Online Safety Act. Together with trade and victim organisations, the cross party committee looking at this is recommending its inclusion.
“‘Relentless’ police war on City moped robbers sees phone snatching down by 50%” – Evening Standard, 8 November 2023
James Thomson, chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, added: “With well over half a million workers commuting into the City of London, many on a daily basis, and over 10 million visitors annually, the Square Mile appears attractive to phone snatchers.
“RED LIGHTS: City of London Police cracks down on anti-social cycling, dishing out 77 fixed penalties” – Taxi Point, 3 October 2023
In response to increasing concerns about road safety and anti-social behaviour, the City of London Police launched a five-day operation at Bank Junction, targeting cyclists who were running red lights and endangering pedestrians.
From 11 to 15 September, the City of London Police’s Cycle Response Unit focussed their efforts on this major transport route during peak commuting hours.
“City police target ‘Lycra lout’ cyclists who jump red lights at Bank Junction” – Evening Standard, 22 September 2023
James Thomson, chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, added: “Public safety is our number one priority – whether that’s on our roads, on our pavements, or while using public transport.
“City police aim to be the most inclusive force in the country” – City Matters 27 July 2023
A prominent London police figure has outlined his plan to ensure that the City of London Police become one of the most inclusive and community orientated police forces in the country.
James Thomson, who chairs the City of London Police Authority Board, informed elected members of the Court of Common Council that over the past 12 months the City of London Police had reinforced community connections to bolster confidence and local resilience. Read full article here.
“City of London police invite women to ‘walk and talk’ to tackle violence in Liverpool Street” – Evening Standard, 20 April 2023
James Thomson, chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, added: “This is a great opportunity for the force to build on public confidence and listen to the views of women in the City.
It is part of our focus on tackling violence against women and girls to ensure that the Square Mile remains the safest business district in the world and also feels safe.
As well as being the major business district in London with some 500,000 workers and 8,000 residents, the City of London is a major visitor destination with a vibrant night-time economy rivalling the West End.
City of London Police Authority Board chair outlines need for collaboration to tackle fraud – City Matters, 20 January 2023
The Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board says collaboration will be key to battling fraudsters in the City and beyond.
James Thomson was speaking at the City of London Police Private Partnerships Dinner, an event that marked the 20th anniversary of the City of London Police’s Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit and the 10th anniversary of the force’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department.
He said that the world “is breeding criminals who are becoming endlessly innovative”, and “the sheer brashness of hostile states” puts the onus on the UK to collectively be even more innovative and forward looking. Read full article here.
Business must act to block a bumper year for fraud – Evening Standard, 19 January 2023
In a speech in the City last night James Thomson, who chairs the City of London Police Authority Board, made the astonishing claim that while half of all offences in England and Wales fall under “fraud and economic crime” only 2% of police funding is dedicated to tackling it.
Fraud only rarely attracts the headlines generated by violent crime and physical theft and to some degree police resources will always follow public concern and outrage. But as Thomson argued fraudsters — sometimes acting on behalf of hostile states —are “endlessly innovative”. Read full article here.
City of London Crime Prevention Association AGM 2022 – City Security, 28 June 2022
James Thomson noted that priorities of the City of London are to continue investing in policing and security, support a vibrant night-time economy that is safe for all, and cyber and economic crime.
He noted that partnership working is a cornerstone for success, highlighting, in particular, the Safer City Partnership. He thanked everyone, including CoLCPA, for the important part they play. Read full article here.
City of London Policing Plan launched – City Matters, 5 April 2022
Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Police Authority Board, James Thomson, said: “The City of London Police is of fundamental importance to the Square Mile’s business and residential communities.
“Its officers work tirelessly to ensure that the City is the safest business district in the world.
“In addition to policing the Square Mile, the role that it performs as National Lead for tackling fraud and cybercrime is central to maintaining the City, London, and the UK’s competitiveness for financial and professional services.
“We will support the City police in strengthening its already world-leading roles in protective security and tackling economic crime, and we will continue to challenge it to improve diversity and inclusion, and deliver justice for victims of crime, including violence against women and girls.” Read full article here.
“New online safety law ‘will stop hundreds of thousands of frauds’” – Evening Standard, 11 February 2022
Mr Thomson told the Standard: “I think this will stop hundreds of thousands of fraud attempts.” He said social media and technology giants currently did not have the financial incentive of banks and insurance companies to crack down on fraud. “This will force them to be pro-active against cyber-enabled crime”. Read full article here.
“Scam advertising must be included in Online Safety Bill” – City Matters – 9 February 2022
Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Police Authority Board, James Thomson, said: “We are very encouraged to see that fraud will be included as a priority harm in the forthcoming Online Safety Bill, which will help tackle this invidious and fast-growing crime, which can often have a devastating impact on victims.
However, it is our firmly held view that paid-for advertising must be included within the scope of the Bill to help protect people from scam adverts.
Not only would failure to do so risk undermining the benefits of including fraud as a priority harm, it would give the green light to fraudsters to continue targeting victims via this route and may lead to a significant increase in this harmful content. Read full article here.
“Scam advertising must be included in Online Safety Bill, say City of London police chiefs” – Police Professional – 8 February 2022
A failure to include ‘scam advertising’ within the scope of the Online Safety Bill “risks undermining the benefits of including fraud as a priority harm”, according to City of London’s policing chiefs. While it welcomed the Government’s decision to include fraud among a number of new criminal offences in the Bill, the City of London Corporation’s Police Authority Board believes paid-for advertising must also be included in the draft legislation to stop people from becoming victims of fraudulent online advertisements. Read full article here.
“Ministers must add scam advert crackdown to online harms law, says police chief” – The Telegraph 12 December 2021
James Thomson urges No 10 to add tough rules in new legislation to stop officers fighting fraud with ‘one arm tied behind their back. Read article here.
“Make social media firms legally responsible for tackling fraud” – The Irish News (and others) – 8 September 2021
James Thomson, chairman of the City of London Police Authority Board, will tell an audience, including security minister Damian Hinds, on Thursday that tougher measures to tackle internet fraud should be included in the Online Safety Bill. Read full article here.
Letter: “Investing in cyber defence is a price worth paying” – Financial Times – 16 July 2021
“Covid-19, a year on: A breakdown of trust between the police and the public” – City A.M. 6 April 2021
“Angela McLaren appointed first female Commissioner of City of London Police” – Police Professional 22 July 2021
Angela McLaren is set to be appointed as the new City of London Police Commissioner, following her election at the Court of Common Council at Guildhall today.
“Former City special constable to head City Police Authority” – City Matters 30 July 2020
James Thomson has been elected as Chairman of the City of London Police Authority Board.
He will be responsible for leading the Board, whose main role is to ensure that the City of London Police runs an effective and efficient service including setting policing priorities for the City as well as its role as National Lead Force for Fraud.
Mr Thomson was a Special Constable with the City of London Police for 12 years and has been an elected Member of the City of London since 2013 – read full article here.
Opinion: City of London
“May the force be with you”
Sathnam Sanghera – Financial Times 30 March 2006
Walking through the City of London after work the other Friday night I helped a drunk on to a bus, ran through Liverpool Street train station looking for a potential suicide case, visited several licensed premises to make sure there were no bags left unattended and scampered around the Barbican in search of individuals behind a knuckleduster attack.
But before anyone starts worrying that I have been watching too many Steven Seagal movies, I should explain that I did all this while shadowing James Thomson, who during the week works for UK aerospace company Smiths Group, but at weekends spends time working as an officer for the City of London Police. Read full article here.