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.
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.
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.