Croydon is putting new boots on the ground in our crackdown on environmental crime and antisocial behaviour.
This week I was pleased to welcome the Council’s new compliance team. These officers will be on our streets, tracking down criminals who disrespect our neighbourhoods with illegally dumped rubbish and abandoned cars.
They’ll be helping businesses to understand their responsibilities when it comes to disposing of their waste properly.
And reminding landowners of their duty to tackle fly-tips and other environmental crimes on their property, which have a negative impact on the rest of the community.
But when criminals flout the law, they’ll be facing the consequences.
Taking an intelligence-led approach, our compliance officers will gather evidence to find out who is responsible for fly-tips and other environmental crimes that blight our borough. We’ll be seeking the toughest penalties against them – whether that’s a fine or a prosecution.
Croydon will no longer be seen as a soft touch. Break the law, and we’ll see you in court.
Major milestone in council homes campaign
We reached a major milestone in my commitment to drive up standards in Council homes as demolition started on a South Norwood estate this week.
The appalling conditions in Council flats on Regina Road were exposed on national television in 2021. When I was elected as Executive Mayor, I made it my priority to invest in Council homes and drive-up standards in housing services, right across our borough. On Tuesday I oversaw those tower blocks starting to come down.
Our regeneration of the Regina Road estate will see the flats that shocked the nation replaced with hundreds of modern Council homes that residents can be proud to live in, with new landscaping, green space and community facilities.
This is a major project, but it is just one part of our wide-ranging housing improvement drive. From building new homes to investing in our existing ones, a more responsive repairs service and better customer care, I am determined to make sure that all tenants are treated with care and respect.
We’ve got much more to do but by listening to our residents, and learning from their experiences, we will keep on improving.
A safe, positive future for our young people
Congratulations to all Croydon students who received A-level results yesterday. We are incredibly proud to be London’s youngest borough, and it is always inspiring to see our young people’s achievements and the wealth of talent that exists within our borough. Croydon is a place of fantastic opportunity, and however you did in your exams there are a huge range of options available for your next step. Find advice and support here.
For young people to reach their full potential, first and foremost they need to be safe and feel safe on the streets where they live. It is eight years since 15-year-old Jermaine Goupall was tragically killed in Croydon- an innocent victim of knife crime.
His legacy lives on through the JFJ Foundation, set up by his sister Tilisha, which continues to campaign for change and save lives. Last Friday I was proud to stand with Tilisha at Merky FC for the installation of a new bleed kit (there are 20 around the town centre) – practical, life-saving equipment that could make all the difference in an emergency. I even volunteered to be the guinea pig for the tourniquet demo – because every second counts, and one life lost is one too many.
It was also good to see 13 new community projects launching as part of the Onward Grant, through our strong partnership with Croydon Voluntary Action and the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit. Together with the Council and trusted local groups, this growing network is working to keep young people safe in West Croydon and the town centre.
Pride in our community
Today, I was honoured to join our Civic Mayor and representatives from our armed forces and across the community to commemorate V-J Day, the anniversary of victory over Japan marking the end of the Second World War. As we came together, and raised the Town Hall flag, it was a moment to reflect and remember the brave Croydon men and women who sacrificed so much for future generations. We must never forget.
I was also delighted to join the Ashburton Park Centenary celebrations today, and see firsthand how we are improving and preserving this much-loved green space. Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Croydon Council has received over £1.5 million pound grant to transform Ashburton Park. Find out more about the project here.
This weekend we are proud to highlight an important figure in our borough’s cultural history, with our Croydon Gladi Gladi festival celebrating the life of our very own famous composer Samuel Coleridge Taylor. Join us for music, family fun and entertainment, with some fantastic events happening in the town centre – from giant puppets to gospel music. I hope to see you there.
Have a great weekend
Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon
