Issue

Public safety

82 stories · discussed at 106 council meetings · 29 councils

Councils are addressing public safety concerns through licensing decisions for late-night venues and tackling e-bike misuse.

In October 2026, Tower Hamlets Council granted a late-night licence to a McDonald's despite resident concerns about public safety. Kingston upon Thames Council's Licensing Sub-Committee considered a late-night licence for Popeyes on September 29, 2026, with police and residents raising similar issues. Hillingdon Council renewed a supermarket's street trading licence in September 2026, adding conditions to address public safety and obstruction.

Enfield Council is addressing public safety concerns related to e-bike and e-scooter misuse, with police actively seizing vehicles and making arrests in September 2026. The topic of public safety, a key licensing objective, will be considered at upcoming licensing sub-committee meetings in October 2026 at Lewisham, Hackney, Havering, Sutton, and Harrow councils.

In August 2026, Kensington and Chelsea Council refused multiple Temporary Event Notices for alcohol sales during Notting Hill Carnival due to public safety concerns. Lambeth Council also refused a licence for Arch 600B in August 2026, citing public safety, crime and disorder, and public nuisance as reasons.

Key facts

  1. Tower Hamlets Council granted a late-night licence to McDonald's despite resident concerns in October 2026. Source
  2. Kingston upon Thames Council's Licensing Sub-Committee considered a late-night licence for Popeyes on September 29, 2026. Source
  3. Enfield Police teams are actively seizing e-bikes and e-scooters across the borough, leading to arrests and confiscations in September 2026. Source
  4. Hillingdon Council renewed Northwood Hills Supermarket's street trading licence with new conditions on September 2, 2026. Source
  5. Kensington and Chelsea Council refused several Temporary Event Notices for alcohol sales during Notting Hill Carnival in August 2026. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 5

  1. Taco Bell granted 5am licence despite police and environmental health concerns Westminster City Council has granted a licence to Taco Bell on Edgware Road to extend its operating hours until 5am, despite objections from the Metropolitan Police and... Westminster 18 April 2026
  2. Basilico pizza delivery seeks later hours A Westminster pizza delivery business is seeking to extend its late-night refreshment hours, a move that has drawn objections from local councillors and the Environmental Health... Westminster 28 March 2026
  3. Southwark Council Approves New Licensing Policy for 2026-2031 Southwark Council has approved a new licensing policy that will guide the borough's approach to licensing responsibilities for the next five years, covering a range of... Southwark 22 March 2026
  4. Newham Cabinet Approves £2m CCTV Upgrade for Enhanced Public Safety Newham Council's Cabinet has approved a £2 million upgrade to the borough's public space CCTV network, aiming to enhance public safety and improve crime prevention and detection... Newham 22 March 2026
  5. Food Works licence suspended over serious crime fears The premises licence for Food Works, located at 51 Strutton Ground, London, SW1P 2HY, has been suspended following an expedited review by Westminster City Council's Licensing... Westminster 20 March 2026
  6. Mirror Café licence decision looms amid noise and safety fears A decision on a new premises licence for The Mirror Café in Richmond is expected within five working days, following a lengthy Licensing Sub-Committee hearing on Friday, March... Richmond upon Thames 19 March 2026
  7. New shop's alcohol licence faces local objections A new convenience store's bid to sell alcohol has been granted by Sutton Council's Licensing Sub-Committee, despite objections from local residents and a nearby business owner. Sutton 19 March 2026
  8. Barnet shop licence revoked over illegal tobacco and fake goods Barnet Council has revoked the premises licence for Snack Buzz & Off Licence, located at 19 Ballards Lane, N3 1UX, after discovering significant quantities of illegal tobacco,... Barnet 18 March 2026