Croydon has become one of London’s most popular filming locations, with productions including The Dark Knight Rises film, The Crown series and Heads of State choosing our borough. On Tuesday (2 June) I announced plans for a new CRO-llywood Working Group to help shape a film and TV hub in Croydon, creating more opportunities for filming and for the next generation of filmmakers. It was great to meet students from The BRIT School at the Croydon Live & Direct event, hosted by Croydon’s Creative Enterprise Zone.

Safer Croydon – working with Croydon Police

As part of my first 100 days of my second elected term, I am meeting with local partners to set out my plans for the borough. Today (5 June) I met with Croydon’s Borough Commander, Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn to explore new initiatives to keep our residents safe.

The Council is exploring a new pilot scheme that could use GPS monitoring technology to help tackle prolific shoplifting and support safer district centres across Croydon. We also discussed the successful pilot of static Live Facial Recognition cameras, which has resulted in the arrest of 170 wanted criminals in Croydon. The good news is that crime is going down in the borough – but there is more to do and I look forward to working together to keep Croydon safer.

Zero-tolerance in action

Our zero-tolerance approach to protecting residents continues to produce results across the borough.

This week, a South Norwood chicken shop was fined £25,000 following a successful Council prosecution after serious food safety failings were uncovered, including dirty food storage, mouse droppings and poorly trained staff. Businesses have a responsibility to meet the standards expected of them and we will not hesitate to take action where residents’ health is put at risk.

At the same time, our Trading Standards team, working with partners, seized more than 66,000 illegal cigarettes alongside tobacco and shisha with a retail value of over £70,000 following raids on six shops across the borough. The sale of illicit tobacco undermines legitimate businesses, fuels organised crime and puts consumers at risk.

These are further examples of our zero-tolerance approach to businesses and individuals who break the rules. Whether it is unsafe food, illegal tobacco, fly-tipping or anti-social behaviour, we are taking action to keep Croydon cleaner, safer and healthier for everyone.

Cleaner Croydon – day of action

We held a housing estate action day at Duppas Hill and Cromwell House yesterday (5 June), bringing together housing staff, contractors and volunteers from across the Council to carry out a range of improvement works.

The work was shaped by feedback from residents and included removing bulky waste, cutting back overgrown ivy and carrying out grounds maintenance to help improve the appearance of the estate.

I would like to thank everyone who took part. These days are a great example of how we can work together and respond to what residents are telling us, helping to make a visible difference in our neighbourhoods. We will be holding more days of action and will keep you updated.

Carers Week 2026

Next week is national Carers’ Week, when we will be teaming up with the charity Carers First to celebrate Croydon’s unpaid carers and connect them with vital health, wellbeing and other support they are entitled to. Come along to the Carers Market Place at Braithwaite Hall on Tuesday, from 10am-3pm. Find out more about this and other events on the Council website.

Have a great weekend.

Jason Perry

Executive Mayor of Croydon