Below, we highlight key activities and updates from Q3:
Safer Business Action Week:
Croydon BID, together with the Metropolitan Police, Croydon Council, and local businesses, led Safer Business Action Week (SaBA) from 14th-20th October 2024. The week aimed to enhance safety and tackle crime through a series of high-impact initiatives:
- Street Ranger Support: Croydon BID Street Rangers provided an additional 20 hours of patrols, responding to 17 incidents and recovering £300 worth of stolen stock.
- Operation Mooka: Funded by Croydon BID, Operation Mooka delivered 32 extra police patrol hours, with visits to 62 businesses. A high-visibility security presence on Thursday involved 22 personnel, the issuance of one Community Protection Notice, and the recovery of knives during stop-and-search operations.
- Graffiti Removal Blitz: On 15th October, Croydon BID coordinated a blitz to remove 90 pieces of graffiti and fly posters. Plainclothes officers also gathered 40 intelligence reports during this time.
- Business Engagement: Direct engagement with businesses helped address safety improvements and concerns, fostering a sense of community safety throughout the town centre.
Additional Street Ranger Hours:
On 4th November 2024, Croydon BID introduced new evening hours for the Street Ranger team to bolster town centre safety, particularly as the dark winter evenings approached. The adjusted hours, driven by feedback from BID members, focused on strengthening evening patrols during the vulnerable 6-7pm period. This initiative aimed to provide added reassurance to the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors in Croydon.
Croydon BID Radio Link:
Launched in April 2023, the Croydon BID Radio Link scheme continued to play a vital role in real-time intelligence sharing and enhancing security across the town centre. In Q3, 5 new users joined the scheme, bringing the total to 81 active participants. New additions included HMRC, Lidl, Green Dragon, Metro Bank, and Rawlings Opticians.
The Croydon BID Radio Link provides real-time communication between local businesses, the Metropolitan Police, and Croydon BID Street Rangers, enabling fast responses to safety concerns. To join the scheme, please visit: https://croydonbid.com/business/resolve/radio-link/
Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership (CBCP):
The CBCP remained an essential partnership in reducing business-related crime in Croydon. During Q3, the partnership saw:
- 17 new members join, bringing the total to 250 businesses.
- 182 intelligence reports and incidents shared among members.
- 38 businesses participated in face-to-face forums, where they discussed issues such as drug dealing, street drinking, and concerns about knife crime with the police.
These on-going forums served as an open platform for businesses to engage with law enforcement, raise concerns, and stay informed about ongoing safety initiatives. To join the scheme, please visit: https://croydonbid.com/business/resolve/croydon-business-crime-reduction-partnership/
Additional Police Hours:
In preparation for the festive season, Croydon BID partnered with the Metropolitan Police Service to provide 212 additional police hours over three key weekends in December. These extra patrols were deployed on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, covering high-traffic areas between late afternoon and midnight. This initiative ensured safety and reassurance as businesses geared up for the busy festive period.
Initiatives were also delivered by our partners, which included:
Crackdown on Illegal E-bikes:
On 3rd October, Croydon police launched a targeted operation focusing on illegal e-bikes and scooters in the town centre. The operation, which took place on George Street, resulted in 41 stops, the seizure of 3 mopeds and 4 e-bikes, and 36 fines issued for driving in prohibited areas and lacking insurance. Additionally, two stop-and-search operations led to one driver being charged with driving without due care, and three arrests were made. This initiative was a direct response to community concerns about the safety issues surrounding illegal e-bikes and scooters.
16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence:
Croydon town centre participated in the nationwide 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence campaign from 25th November–10th December. In line with Croydon Council’s Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Delivery Plan, this initiative focused on raising awareness, supporting victims, and holding perpetrators accountable. Local landmarks, including the Town Hall, were lit in orange to show solidarity with the cause. The campaign also encouraged residents to become Domestic Abuse Community Ambassadors and contribute to shaping services for victims.
Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing initiatives and how we continue to work towards creating a safer Croydon for everyone. For more information about our safety initiatives, visit: https://croydonbid.com/business/resolve/
