On 16 July 2024, the main issue raised at the East Croydon Community Organisation (ECCO) AGM was that of antisocial behaviour by vulnerable adults with drug dependency issues.  At the same meeting, our MP Natasha Irons stated that crime, including anti-social behaviour, was by far the main issue raised with her when canvassing in our area.  A resolution was passed  by those attending stating as follows:

Residents of ECCO call on the Executive Mayor of Croydon and Borough Police Commander to address the consequences of the displacement of anti-social behaviour into the streets of East Croydon not covered by the Town Centre Public Safety Protection Order, and to consider provision of more officers in the ward of Addiscombe West,  thus enabling more patrolling of local streets, and increasing the amount of CCTV surveillance, particularly in the worst-affected streets.

Mayor Perry replied to ECCO’s resolution, stating that he “had established the town centre task force, which is starting to tackle many of the issues that you raise”.  He added that he would “indeed discuss the ECCO resolution with the Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Brittain, and we will come back … in due course”.  He did not specifically address the request for more officers on the street or CCTV.

In the eight weeks after the ECCO AGM, the number of complaints from residents to the police increased significantly.  At a meeting in September, Superintendent Lewis, the officer overseeing town centre policing, acknowledged the fact that its Public Safety Protection Order had displaced anti-social behaviour into areas such as our own.

More positively, an initiative entitled Project Adder has been introduced to address anti-social behaviour in the town centre and adjacent areas.  Police Sergeant Jones has reported that his Addiscombe West Safer Neighbourhood Team have already approached 16 vulnerable adults who circulate on margins of the town centre, including the ECCO area.   13 of the 16 agreed that outreach agencies could approach them to try to help them out of current situation.

Two vulnerable adults, who had gone beyond anti-social behaviour onto theft and violence, have been arrested recently.  As they were prominent characters within the group of 16, it is hoped that their absence will make the remainder more willing to engage with Project Adder. 

ECCO residents can help the police tackle anti-social behaviour more effectively by reporting any incidents that they observe using this online form, providing related detail https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/local-policing-team-contact/contact-your-local-policing-team/.  

Local crime statistics can be found on the Addiscombe West Safer Neighbourhood Team webpage https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/met/croydon/addiscombe-west/about-us/crime-map