Keeping Harley Street Safer: Mobile Phone Asset Tagging Pilot

Led by Ashley Durling, Head of Operations and Security at the Harley Street Business Improvement District, the initiative is already underway with four member organisations: BBC, HCA Healthcare, The Howard de Walden Estate and OneWelbeck.

“Keeping people and businesses safe is our priority. This pilot is a simple but effective way to protect personal devices and support the wider safety of Harley Street,” says Ashley.

“The pilot forms part of Harley Street BID’s wider Safety & Resilience programme, delivered in close partnership with the Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhood Team to help reduce crime and improve security across the district.”

How asset tagging works

The pilot uses the Secure Asset Register, the UK’s police-approved property database. Devices are securely registered and marked so they can be traced and recovered if lost or stolen. This approach has already proven successful across police forces and other BIDs nationwide.

Why it matters

• Proof of ownership – clearly identifies who a device belongs to
• Higher recovery rates – improves the chances of lost or stolen devices being returned
• Supports policing – strengthens investigations and prosecutions
• Insurance support – provides evidence for claims, including internationally

Following its early success, plans are now underway to expand the scheme to more levy-paying businesses, helping to make Harley Street an even safer and more resilient place to work, visit and live.