Traders in Croydon’s famous Surrey Street are divided over the success of a police effort to curb shoplifting. Last year the Metropolitan Police identified Croydon as a key town centre blighted by street crime – prompting fresh action to reduce it
The clampdown on shoplifting in particular has seen the number of reported incidents drop from 2,050 between July and December 2024 to 1,432 between January and June this year. Despite this positive step, some traders in Surrey Street claim the Met’s strategy has not gone far enough.
“It’s not gotten better, it’s probably feels even worse,” an exasperated seller told MyLondon. “In March my husband [who also works at the stall] was hit by a woman who was on drugs.
“She tried to grab him by the collar, then came around and punched him on the nose. This area is not safe.” Another trader, who asked to remain anonymous over fears for his safety, has stopped reporting incidents to the police.
She said: “Just five minutes ago I saw a man urinate near a shop window. He then asked if I had a cigarette. If the police were actually around they’d be able to stop that behaviour.”
The Croydon resident said in previous years Surrey Street had its own permanent inspector who helped deter criminals from the area. “As traders we do a fairly good job of policing it now,” she adds, “but we want to make it more pleasant for people to shop here.”
Mark Oram is set to close his family-owned pet shop in Surrey Street on Saturday, August 16 due to higher costs, shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. Dabners first appeared in Surrey Street in 1959 but over the past decade its seen a lower number of customers because of lower footfall. Mark told MyLondon in July the government’s Autumn Budget last year was the “final nail in the coffin”
He said: “Croydon feels a bit lawless. Shoplifting is worse than ever but we’re not getting any support. If we catch one we’re just told to email the police who never do much about it.”
In one instance last year a shoplifter pulled a knife on him in the middle of Surrey Street when he tried to stop him from stealing a dog harness Scotland Yard said they did not have enough evidence to prosecute the suspect, despite it allegedly being captured on video by a member of the public.
Mark believes these incidents lead to more independent businesses shutting and less people visiting Croydon town centre. “No one cares, that’s what I find frustrating,” he continued. “If you go on the high street or outside West Croydon station you’ll see the benches are all full of drinks
“What advert is that for coming to Croydon? It didn’t used to be like this. There used to be reasons to come here, but all the shops are closing
“Compare this to the Glades in Bromley, all the shops are doing much better. There’s much more of a reason to go there.”
Despite distress among some traders, others have praised a recent push to combat shoplifting, burglary anti-social behaviour in Croydon town centre. Jose Joseph, who runs Joseph’s Veg at the corner of Surrey Street and Church Street, said he is “quite happy” with what the police has done.
He told MyLondon: “They are patrolling much more than they were before. You’ll often see them walking down the streets speaking to people and business owners.
Originally from Kerala in India, Jose is the founder of Croydon Business Association which campaigns to make the South London borough a better place. The group successfully campaigned for facial recognition cameras in recent months to protect businesses from shoplifters.
“Every month something seems to happen here,” Jose added. “However it is much better than before. But we can’t just rely on the police, we have to stand up against crime.
“We [traders] have to report it and submit the evidence. We want to clean up our town, and bring back Croydon’s reputation.
The Metropolitan Police said it is working with local business owners in Croydon to understand their concerns – taking a targeted approach to tackle crimes blighting the area.
Superintendent Mitch Carr, the Met’s neighbourhood policing lead for Croydon, said: “Across the Met we’re focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters as we know the fear they cause retail workers and the negative impact their offending has on communities. In Croydon, shoplifting has reduced by 31 per cent in six months.
“Croydon is one of 20 town centres and high streets across London that will see enhanced police and partner activity this summer. There will be increased police patrols, intelligence-led plain-clothed operations in hotspot areas, and officers will relentlessly target wanted and prolific offenders who commit offences, particularly shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.”
Stay updated on the top South London stories. Sign up to our MySouthLondon newsletter HERE for the latest daily news and more.
