Fly-tippers fined, nuisance cars removed, and illegal goods seized – these are the results of Croydon Council significantly increasing enforcement activity across the borough.

A report agreed at Cabinet on Wednesday (3 December) details the Council’s intelligence-led enforcement action which is tackling antisocial environmental crimes. This supports the Executive Mayor’s priorities to make Croydon a cleaner, safer, and healthier borough.

The zero-tolerance approach is improving the environment, increasing business compliance and cracking down on antisocial behaviour that blight Croydon.

Over the past 18 months, Croydon’s investment in more resources has resulted in more action being taken against offenders. This follows cuts to the Council’s enforcement team in 2021.

Analysis from the recent enforcement engagement with residents found that 94% supported the Council taking direct enforcement action, with fly-tipping concerning residents the most.

To act on residents’ needs, a new team has been focused on investigating cases of fly-tipping, resulting in over 100 fines being issued since September. Early indicators show that this is reducing fly-tipping in hotspot areas.

Businesses are being held accountable, with over 1,000 inspections completed that check on responsible waste removal. Those found without proper arrangements could face fines or prosecutions.

Private land blighted with dumped rubbish are a focus too. Owners who do not respond or comply to warnings to clear their land are facing tougher action.

The Council has successfully tackled nuisance garages who dump dangerous unroadworthy cars on the road taking up parking spaces. As a result, fifteen vehicles have been seized and crushed in the last three months.

Since May, over 70 Blue Badges have been confiscated. The Council has towed 32 cars, prosecuted four people and another 15 prosecutions will take place over the coming months.

A total of 10,000 illegal vapes, 93,000 illicit cigarettes, plus hand rolling tobacco, have been seized by the Council’s award-winning trading standards team. Following food hygiene inspections, the food safety team have closed a restaurant, retail premises and a takeaway owing to health risks.

This work has run alongside the Council’s proactive blitz cleans – where it has been carrying out deep cleans and repairs in district centres.

The Council will continue to build on the success of the past 18 months with new initiatives including more use of CCTV and working closer with the Police and Fire Brigade.

“Making Croydon’s streets cleaner and safer is my priority. Croydon will not be seen as a soft touch. We are determined to make those who act antisocially face the consequences of their actions, through a zero-tolerance approach.

“We are listening to residents who have told us they want stronger action taken on those who blight the borough. The results speak for themselves – and this model is working. This is only the beginning, but we are on track to fix the ‘broken windows’ of our borough as we continue to restore pride in Croydon one street at a time.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

Find out how to dispose of waste correctly in the residents’ guide on the Council website.

Waste or road issues can be reported via the Love Clean Streets app.