New figures from the Metropolitan Police show a significant fall in crime across Croydon. This follows the introduction of Croydon’s Community Safety Strategy with an emphasis on partnership working between Croydon Council, the Police, London Fire Brigade, National Probation Service, health and community organisations.

Since 2023, knife crime has dropped by 24%, personal robbery by 29% and burglaries by 19%. In the town centre, reports of anti-social behaviour have fallen by 24% over the past three years, contributing to an overall 4.1% reduction in crime in the last year.

Making Croydon’s streets safer for young people, reducing violence against women and girls, and tackling anti-social behaviour have been key priorities for Executive Mayor Jason Perry over the past four years. At a Cabinet meeting on 11 February, members agreed to continue progressing this work, supporting the Mayor’s focus on creating a safer borough for everyone.

Key actions of the Community Safety Strategy have included the reintroduction of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Croydon town centre and a new PSPO for Thornton Heath. These give Police and Council officers extra powers to deal with anti‑social behaviour in hotspots, helping to make our public spaces safer and more welcoming.

The Council has also developed and delivered the borough’s first Violence Against Women and Girls plan, allocating funds to make Croydon safer for women and girls, including hosting the Council’s first Violence Against Women and Girls conference.

Croydon developed its first Youth Safety Delivery Plan, offering more support to young people at risk of violence or exploitation. A key element of this is increased funding to local partners and neighbourhood community groups. These partners work directly with young people on the street across the borough, to help keep them safe and away from violence.

The Council has stepped up its response to serious incidents by working more closely with the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS), to make sure we can act fast in an emergency to support the communities most affected.

The Town Centre Task Force brings together the Council, Police and other partners to tackle issues ranging from homelessness, litter, fly-tipping drug use and business crime.

“Since becoming Mayor, I have made it a priority to reduce crime on our streets. Our strong partnership work has done just that – with knife crime down 24% since 2023.

“This is positive change in action, and it is helping to make Croydon a place where people feel safer, supported and proud of their community.

“But we are not complacent. Crime can have devastating consequences on our communities, and I want residents of all ages to feel safe, wherever they are in our borough, whatever time of night or day.

“I am grateful to all our partners – the Police, the Town Centre Taskforce and other community and faith groups – and I look forward to continuing our work to make Croydon a safer place for all.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon