Safer Business Action Week delivers positive impact in Croydon town centre

As part of the National Business Crime Centre’s Safer Business Action Week (SaBA), Croydon BID, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Croydon Council, and local businesses, engaged in a series of impactful initiatives aimed at enhancing safety and reducing business crime in the town centre.
The week-long operation, held from 14th to 20th October, was marked by increased patrols, targeted engagement with businesses, and proactive crime prevention strategies that fostered a strong sense of community involvement.

Increased Patrol Presence

The Croydon BID Street Rangers played a pivotal role during the week, extending their patrol hours by an additional 20 hours. These extra hours focused primarily on routes frequently used by employees traveling to transport hubs, like George Street, as well as dedicated visits to hospitality venues. The Croydon BID Street Rangers responded to 17 incidents throughout the week, successfully recovering £300 worth of stolen stock from one incident alone.

Operation Mooka

Operation Mooka, funded by Croydon BID, delivered an additional 32 hours of police patrols dedicated to business engagement. Over the course of the operation, officers visited 62 businesses in Croydon town centre, providing a platform for business owners to voice their concerns. This open line of communication proved invaluable, ensuring that local issues were addressed promptly.

Heightened Visibility

On Thursday, the town centre buzzed with activity, featuring a robust visible security presence of 22 personnel, including MPS, Croydon BID Street Rangers, and local security teams. This display not only reassured the community but also acted as a deterrent against potential criminal activities.

The MPS executed several significant operations during this day, including issuing 1 Community Protection Notice (CPN) against a prolific known offender, conducting 6 stop-and-searches, and performing numerous weapon sweeps that resulted in the recovery of knives and other offensive weapons.

Cleansing Blitz

On Tuesday 15th October, Croydon BID’s Cleansing Service conducted a focused graffiti removal operation, targeting hotspot areas around the town centre. In just one day, 90 pieces of graffiti, fly posters, and tags – both small and large – were removed, significantly improving the overall look and feel of the area. This effort helped to create a cleaner, more welcoming environment for both businesses and visitors alike.

Gathering Intelligence

During a dedicated day of action on 10th October, plain clothes police officers engaged with businesses from Croydon High Street to Lidl on London Road, compiling over 40 intelligence reports. This proactive approach is set to inform ongoing safety efforts, ensuring that the concerns of local businesses are taken into account.

Direct Engagement with the Business Community

Multiple businesses took the opportunity to meet with Inspector Miriam Chapman-Rosenfeld, to discuss their concerns, particularly regarding issues along George Street. The dialogue reassured business owners that ongoing efforts were being made to address their concerns and enhance safety in the area.

Croydon MPS understand that businesses are navigating a challenging environment, both in terms of trading and ensuring the safety of their employees. Addressing and tackling business crime is a top priority, and we are committed to supporting the efforts of Croydon BID and its partners through initiatives like SaBA. The importance of a collective approach to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour cannot be under-estimated. I urge everyone to collaborate with us as we strive to improve safety across Croydon town centre
Inspector Miriam Chapman-Rosenfeld, Metropolitan Police Service

SaBA Week has proven to be a powerful demonstration of partnership and proactive engagement in Croydon town centre. The collective efforts of the police, local businesses, and Croydon Council have laid a solid foundation for ongoing safety initiatives.

Creating and maintaining a safe environment is something we all strive for, especially in what are undeniably challenging conditions. Progress and proactive action must be led by partnerships, which is why initiatives like Safer Business Action Week are so valuable in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour while boosting community confidence. Representing the business community, safety remains a top priority for us, and we’re committed to providing the support, tools, and visibility needed to deter business crime and enhance the vibrancy of our town centre. We encourage everyone to work together, stay vigilant, and report any incidents so we can continue making positive changes for all to enjoy.
Matthew Sims, Chief Executive, Croydon Business Improvement District (BID)

As we move forward, we encourage everyone in the community to remain vigilant and report any incidents, ensuring that the positive momentum established during SaBA Week continues.

In an emergency, dial 999 immediately. For non-urgent situations, call 101 or conveniently report crimes online via the Metropolitan Police website: https://www.met.police.uk/

For more details on how Croydon BID continues to work towards reducing the impact of business crime in the town centre, visit croydonbid.com/business/resolve. To learn more about Safer Business Action Week, visit nbcc.police.uk.