This week I am delighted to share with you how we are allocating £1.5m from the Government’s Pride in Place Programme to improve the community spaces our residents have told us matter most.

We will transform a vacant building in Addiscombe Recreation Ground into a new community space, improve lighting and pathways in Waddon Park and upgrade paving in Green Lane shopping parade, Norbury. These are just a few of the projects planned, with all works due for completion by March next year. Read the full list here.

Safer Croydon

I was deeply saddened by the tragic incident in Valley Park on Sunday morning where three people were stabbed, one fatally. My thoughts are with the victims’ family and friends at this heartbreaking time. Police increased their presence in the area and a man has been charged in relation to the incident.

Safety remains one of the biggest concerns raised by our residents, which is why we are increasing uniformed patrols as part of my zero‑tolerance approach to antisocial behaviour.

We are now working with Parkguard, our accredited Community Safety Officers, who are working alongside the Council and Police strengthening our overall response.

They are already patrolling housing estates and will also be active in the town centre and Thornton Heath.

Uniformed and equipped with body worn video cameras, Parkguard officers will support the Town Centre Taskforce, assist local businesses and engage with people sleeping rough, helping to connect them with appropriate services. They are working alongside our housing and community safety teams on estates addressing issues such as nuisance gatherings, drug‑related trespassing and persistent antisocial behaviour

These extra patrols directly reflect what residents have asked for: more visibility and faster action to keep Croydon safer.

Cleaner Croydon

We saw a fantastic turnout at our mobile recycling centre in Sanderstead on Saturday, with residents dropping off clothes, furniture and electrical items, all for free. This is part of my zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping. We will be taking our mobile recycling centre to other areas around the borough, helping to restore pride in our neighbourhoods.

Our blitz clean teams were also out on Brighton Road, continuing the work of our Cleaner Croydon campaign to keep our streets tidy.

Be Inspired

This week I visited Be Inspired in Norbury Park and met co-founder Ben Eckett, during a regular boxing training evening at the pavilion which is also home to Croydon Amateur Boxing Club. Alongside boxing, their outreach, sport, therapeutic support, and employability programmes are helping young people build confidence, gain practical skills and move towards education, training and sustainable work.

It was also good to see representatives from construction company Wates there, supporting the second year of a two-year investment through the Wates Family Enterprise Trust, backing mentoring and progression opportunities that are opening doors for Croydon’s young people.

Love Croydon

Finally, thank you to everyone who joined my Love Croydon event at BOXPARK on Valentine’s Day. It was inspiring to listen to our panellists – residents, businesses, entrepreneurs, faith and community group leaders – all passionate about Croydon and demonstrating how we can work together.

My warmest wishes go to all those marking Lent and Ramadan this week, and a very happy Lunar New Year to our communities celebrating the year of the fire horse.

Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon