Operation Redwood
Operation Redwood is a high-visibility policing operation focused on tackling serious violence, knife crime, and drug-related offending in hotspot locations. In April:
- 58 stop and searches were conducted
- 20 arrests were made, including 2 for possession of an offensive weapon
- Drugs were seized during targeted drug and weapon sweeps
- Some deployments included support from the dog unit, immigration enforcement, and joint patrols with Centrale Shopping Centre security teams.
- This ongoing operation plays a key role in removing dangerous individuals from the streets and increasing police visibility in the town centre.
Operation Kelaa
Operation Kelaa is a policing initiative specifically aimed at tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Croydon town centre. The operation is designed to build trust with local businesses, encourage the reporting of crime, and gather intelligence on high-harm offenders. In April:
- Officers visited local businesses to share updates from the Safer Neighbourhoods team and provide information on how to report incidents, particularly those related to VAWG
- Intelligence was collected on key individuals and hotspot locations, enabling the police to tailor their approach and target resources more effectively
Anyone who has been a victim of crime is encouraged to report it by calling 101 or using the online reporting tools below:
- Reports can also be made anonymously through Crimestoppers
- Report areas where you feel unsafe with StreetSafe
Live Facial Recognition (LFR)
LFR technology is used to identify individuals wanted by the police for serious offences. It is only deployed in line with strict guidelines and with clear signage for transparency.
During the most recent deployment:
- 6 arrests were made, including individuals wanted for rape, assault, and criminal damage
- Plans are in place for further deployments, continuing the focus on identifying and arresting high-risk offenders in public spaces
Local town centre team results (outside of formal operations)
In addition to targeted operations, the town centre team continues to patrol daily and respond to emerging issues. In April:
- 55 stop and searches were conducted
- 35 arrests were made, including:
- 8 for violent offences
- 4 for possession of offensive weapons
- 6 for drug offences
- 1 for a sexual offence
These results highlight the day-to-day impact of the local policing team in Croydon town centre.
Croydon town centre faces ongoing challenges, but the continued efforts of the MPS – alongside strong partnership work – are helping to reduce crime, support local businesses, and make the area safer for all.
