City of London Police Commissioner Peter O’Doherty has outlined plans for a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening centralized reporting of fraud and cybercrime.
He also noted that British authorities have approved a new plan to combat violence against women and girls in London, alongside covert police operations designed to improve victim support.
O’Doherty said his recent visit to Saudi Arabia focused on expanding bilateral cooperation, as police leaders and Saudi agencies explore opportunities that could benefit both sides.
Potential areas of discussion include the concept of centralized reporting of fraud and cybercrime. The City of London Police has historically provided support in areas such as public order management, major events, and counterterrorism.
He explained that his meetings in Riyadh focused on how British police collaborate with elements of the private sector, and on training and capacity-building programs across the United Kingdom.
Discussions also covered emerging threat patterns, the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, and innovative practices by the City of London Police to prevent and disrupt criminal trends, while emphasizing the importance of international coordination and cooperation.
Looking ahead, O’Doherty said there are many areas where partnerships with Saudi Arabia could thrive, including shared learning, access to data and threat information, capacity building, technology exchange, testing, and training.
Shared Goals
O’Doherty stressed that his visit represented both the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the City of London, with the goal of building relationships between government entities and law enforcement agencies across the region, and strengthening existing ties through knowledge exchange.
He noted that the visit also aimed to share expertise and best practices on how police at the local, regional, and national levels respond to economic and cybercrime, and to enhance cybersecurity.
O’Doherty said that when it comes to Saudi Arabia, discussions today go far beyond oil. The transformation the country is undergoing under Vision 2030, and its embrace of technology, global investment, and tourism, make such cooperation particularly important.
London’s Policing Challenges
Discussing the main challenges facing London’s police, O’Doherty said that emerging technologies, geopolitical shifts, and the growing globalization of goods, people, and services are reshaping policing demands. He emphasized that police work must adapt by operating more collaboratively across sectors and using new technologies to enhance safety and security.
As the UK’s lead force for combating economic and cybercrime, the City of London Police’s top priorities are to tackle large-scale fraud at its source and to develop preventative, disruptive, and enforcement responses that keep pace with rapid technological change.
One of the biggest challenges, he said, lies in responding to the global nature of such crimes. Meeting this challenge requires elevating the priority given to economic and cyber issues amid competing demands, and strengthening accountability across both the private and technology sectors.
On rising crime rates in the City of London, O’Doherty said that with increased foot traffic, a growing nighttime economy, and improved early detection, crime levels have risen. However, the focus remains on early prevention through collaboration, technology, and innovation.
He said the force is carrying out proactive operations to tackle mobile phone theft and other anti-social behavior, as well as partnership initiatives such as Operation Reframe, which involves working with Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and St. John Ambulance to address violence against women and girls. Covert policing operations are also underway to enhance the police response to victims.
