While progress has been made, the challenges of maintaining public safety in a complex environment remain significant. Here’s an overview of the recent activities and initiatives aimed at improving safety in Croydon town centre:
Live Facial Recognition Deployment
In August, Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology was deployed on the 28th and 30th at the High Street junction with Church Street. This technology supports the police in identifying individuals who are dangerous or wanted. During these deployments, LFR enabled 9 arrests for various offences, including violent crime, domestic violence, sexual offences, and theft.
Op Redwood
The Op Redwood pilot, focusing on weapon-related crimes and violent offences in Croydon town centre, has made headway. In August, officers, including those from the Territorial Support Group, Proactive Teams, Dogs Unit, Traffic, and Mounted Branch, made 28 arrests, conducted 19 stop and searches, and seized multiple weapons and drugs. This pilot, which began in July, will continue to play a vital role in reducing crime in Croydon.
Robbery Reduction and Upcoming School Safety Initiative
August saw an 18% reduction in personal robbery offences, reflecting the impact of proactive policing and targeted policing efforts. In response to ongoing concerns, a ‘Back to School’ initiative will be introduced in September. This initiative includes officers stationed outside schools during key times to deter robbery, offer reassurance, and engage with students. The aim is to address safety concerns during the school year.
Recent Crime Data
The latest crime statistics indicate promising progress:
Robbery: down by 18%
Violence with injury: down by 11.5%
These improvements reflect the effectiveness of current crime prevention strategies and offer a hopeful sign that continued efforts will contribute to further enhancing safety in the community.
Join Us in Making Croydon Safer
Through Operation Mooka, funded by Croydon BID, we are working in partnership with the Croydon Metropolitan Police to engage with the local business community. Police officers are visiting businesses in Croydon Town Centre fortnightly to engage, listen to concerns, and take action.
Contact us today to arrange a visit from our team.
