This spring’s local election results were disappointing for Labour in Croydon and nationally. The message from voters is clear: people want to see change reaching their everyday lives faster, and we need to respond with action. I want to thank everyone who took part in the campaign, from candidates and councillors to volunteers and residents who gave up their time because they care deeply about our borough. 

Locally, I’ve been out across the constituency meeting residents and listening to their priorities, including in communities around Croydon University Hospital that will benefit from a £20 million Pride in Place investment. I’ve also continued campaigning for a safer crossing at Whitehorse Lane and South Norwood Hill, pushed for improvements at Norwood Junction station, hosted a performing arts roundtable and held a coffee morning in South Norwood. 

Nationally, I launched the Government’s new Knife Crime Strategy, backed by over £120 million, alongside the rollout of over 3,000 new neighbourhood police officers and the launch of a National Knife Crime Centre. 

Reflecting on the Local Elections  

This spring’s local election results were disappointing for Labour, both nationally and here in Croydon. Voters have been clear with us. Too many people still feel under pressure and are waiting to see change reach their day‑to‑day lives. We need to listen, learn and respond with action people can see and feel.  

We did not win the mayoralty, and that is hard to take. Rowenna Davis ran an outstanding campaign on a bold and hopeful vision for the borough, coming within just 1% of victory. I want to thank her, her team and the volunteers who gave so much, and I am determined that the ideas and energy from that campaign will not be lost. 

In the council elections, Labour remains the largest single party across Croydon. Congratulations to the Labour councillors elected across Croydon West: Sam Attwater, Rowenna Davis, Ellily Ponnuthurai, Aba Amoah, Tom Bowell, Manju Shahul‑Hameed, Mohana Manoharan, Ellie Sandover, Humayun Kabir, Mohammed Islam, Catherine Wilson, Janet Campbell, Stuart King, Rym Daoud and Melanie Felten. My commiserations to Chris Clark, Davina Brown, Cliff Colvin, Jess Hammersley‑Rich, Stella Nabukeera and Chris Herman. 

As a government we need to keep taking on the pressures families face and showing through our actions that we are making a genuine difference to people’s lives. Working alongside our councillors and the people who give so much to this borough, I remain hopeful for Croydon. 

£120 Million Plan to Tackle Knife Crime and Keep Our Communities Safe 

No parent should have to experience the shattering loss and heartbreak of losing their child to knife crime. This government is unrelenting in its mission to halve knife crime within a decade. We are making progress, with knife crime down 8%, knife homicides down 27% and over 63,000 knives taken off the streets. But there can be no let-up.  

This spring, we launched the Government’s Knife Crime Strategy. We’re investing over £120 million to tackle knife crime in hotspots, protecting lives and building hope in our communities. It’s part of the Government’s commitment to halve knife crime in a decade. By implementing the measures set out in this plan, we will go further than any government ever has in our mission to halve knife crime in a decade. Read the plan here.  

The only way to tackle knife crime is by working across government. That’s why we’re bringing together ministers from across departments to tackle the problem. This knife crime strategy is a result of that collaboration. Watch my video with ministers here. 

New Late‑Night Youth Club Coming to Croydon to Support Young People 

The Mayor of London has announced plans to deliver at least one new late-night youth club in every London borough – including in Croydon. This is the biggest investment in youth clubs ever made by a Mayor. We are bringing youth clubs back. 

Backing Croydon’s Creative Industries to Grow and Thrive 

Croydon is a hub of talent and creativity, shaping culture across London and the country — and local organisations and groups play a vital role in making Croydon such a brilliant place. 

I recently hosted a roundtable at our office to bring people together and talk about how we can help the performing arts thrive even further in Croydon. We focused on building on opportunities, tackling challenges head‑on, and working more closely together. 

It was a hugely positive and much needed discussion, and I’ll continue using my convening powers to connect people, bring ideas together, and support Croydon to thrive through stronger collaboration. 

Meeting Residents at my South Norwood Coffee Morning 

I recently held a South Norwood coffee morning to hear directly from residents about local concerns, particularly around crime and antisocial behaviour, fly‑tipping, and housing. 

I am working with the Met and local partners to strengthen neighbourhood policing, including increased afterschool patrols, youth outreach on South Norwood High Street, and better coordination at transport hubs. Alongside local councillors, I am pressing Croydon Council to create a safer crossing at Whitehorse Lane / South Norwood Hill, campaigning for improvements at Norwood Junction station, and pushing for faster responses to fly‑tipping hotspots. 

I have also arranged site visits with residents and housing providers to tackle repair issues and am pressing the council for a more responsive approach to homelessness support. 

Crime Falls 10.5% as 170+ Offenders Caught in Croydon’s Pilot Live Facial Recognition Pilot 

Croydon’s Live Facial Recognition pilot scheme set to continue in Croydon after more than 170 wanted criminals were arrested over six-month period. During the six-month pilot – introduced by the Government – crime in the area fell by 10.5% compared to the same period last year. In total, 61% of the offences linked to arrests were committed in Croydon.  

Crystal Palace’s European Victory Celebrated Across Croydon 

Crystal Palace have won the UEFA Conference League, completing an extraordinary journey from last year’s FA Cup victory to European champions this season. It is a moment of huge pride for Croydon and Palace supporters everywhere. I was proud to put out a letter to the manager, players, staff and fans to congratulate them on what they have achieved. 

Listening to Residents on How £20 Million Should Be Used to Transform their Area 

Many residents have heard the great news that neighbourhoods in Croydon will be receiving an enormous £20 million funding boost dedicated to improving the local community. The announcement follows years of campaigning by local councillors and I to get more investment into the borough. Soon a Neighbourhood Board will be brought together to represent local residents and set out how the £20 million will be spent. 

Importantly, it will be the local community making the decisions about how this money should be spent – it’s your neighbourhood, your plan. I am door knocking across the four wards that stand to benefit — Bensham Manor, Broad Green, Selhurst and West Thornton — listening to residents’ views on how this funding should be used. Letters have gone out to all residents across these wards, and I’m hearing many brilliant ideas about what would make the biggest difference locally.  

A survey has already been launched for residents to outline what they believe the community needs. If you live locally, you can take part by completing the survey via the QR code attached below or by visiting the following link: https://survey.labour.org.uk/r0kbrs1kjvcibbufs0iuwwwod

Advocating for a Safer Whitehorse Lane/South Norwood Hill Junction 

Your local councillors and I have been campaigning to secure a safer crossing at this junction, which currently presents a serious hazard to pedestrians. I am pleased to report that after months of campaigning and bringing Croydon Council to conduct a site visit at the junction, we are seeing some significant progress. As initial steps, Croydon Council has confirmed that: 

1. They will be exploring installation of enhanced advance warning signs to alert motorists to the crossing point. 

1. The Highway Maintenance Team will review and implement refreshed road-marking signs.  

Of course, what we want to see is a more significant redesign bringing in a safe crossing for residents. The council has advised that they are applying for road safety funding for 2026/2027 from TfL – at that point, they will be able to look at more potentially introducing more significant measures. 

We need to keep up the pressure to make it clear to Croydon Council that any funding needs to be used to improve this crossing. Sign my petition to tell Croydon Council about how dangerous the crossing is.  

3,000 New Neighbourhood Police Officers Rolled Out Nationwide 

Communities cannot be abandoned to face the epidemic of neighbourhood crime. Over 3,000 new neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs are now in roles to fight crime and protect communities. A good start, more to come. 

Helping Over 2,500 Residents – Spring Casework Wins 

Since the start of April, I have received over 2,500 casework emails. Around half were related to housing, 10% were related to Local Government, and smaller numbers involved transport and health. 

The main issues raised this spring have been around accommodation, ranging from homelessness to poor living conditions. This has included concerns about overcrowded homes, broken lifts, and a lack of hot water. Fly‑tipping has also remained an ongoing issue locally. 

Some of the cases I supported this spring include: 

• Helped a resident move out of a home that was no longer safe, working with the council to arrange a managed move while major repairs were carried out. 

• Supported a vulnerable family with complex health needs, chasing agencies and advocating on their behalf to find suitable temporary accommodation. 

• Stepped in to support a homeless mum and her young child, ensuring they had somewhere safe to stay during a very stressful time. 

• Chased up and resolved a long delayed TfL Private Hire Driver licence renewal, enabling the constituent to return to work and restore their income. 

VAT Cuts on Children’s Meals, Tickets and Attractions This Summer 

Families in Croydon deserve a chance to enjoy the summer without worrying about every extra cost. That’s why the Government’s Great British Summer Savings will cut VAT on children’s meals, theatre and cinema tickets, and family attractions from 25 June to 1 September 2026. We’re helping families enjoy days out for less while backing the businesses that rely on summer trade. 

New Flexible Courses Coming to Croydon to Help People Upskill and Retrain 

Thanks to Croydon College and this Labour government, new flexible courses designed to help working people upskill and retrain while balancing busy lives are coming to Croydon. 

Find out what it could mean for you below 👇 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lifelong-learning-entitlement-lle-overview/lifelong-learning-entitlement-overview 

Net Migration Falls Sharply 

Net migration is down 82% under Labour to the lowest level since 2021. It fell to 171,000 in 2025 from 944,000 peak in 2022-23. The use of asylum hotels is down by a third since the peak.  

We will always welcome those who contribute to this country and wish to build a better life here. But we must restore order and control to our borders. Real progress has been made, but there is still work to do. 

Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness  

Throughout the winter months, Croydon Together Night Shelter has given provision to people experiencing homelessness. They’ve offered a safe place to sleep, hot meals and showers, as well as wrap-around support. It was a privilege to meet with volunteers and those accessing the service.  

Croydon Tram Depot Becomes London Trams’ First Fully Decarbonised Site 

I visited Therapia Lane tram depot with TfL to see first-hand major upgrades – including heat pumps, improved insulation, LED lighting and new rooftop solar panels – helping cut emissions and improve conditions for staff on site. This is an important milestone in TfL’s work to modernise infrastructure – and I’m really pleased it’s happening right here in Croydon. 

Backing Local Jobs and Small Businesses in Croydon 

From helping small businesses get the tools and materials they need, to creating local jobs and apprenticeships, businesses like Screwfix play an important role in our local economy. It was valuable to hear from the team here in Croydon supporting tradespeople and customers across our community every day. 

Maternity Care at Croydon University Hospital 

A trip down memory lane visiting Croydon University Hospital’s maternity ward! It’s the exact same ward where I gave birth to three of my children – brilliant work goes on here, but we need a new, up-to-date facility able to meet current day demands. 

Some incredibly important discussions on how black mothers are at much higher risk when giving birth and the work the hospital is doing to tackle those root causes. 

Discussing Opportunity in Croydon with the South East London Chamber of Commerce 

 It was great to come together with business leaders from across Croydon and beyond for a South East London Chamber of Commerce event. There’s so much innovation and opportunity in our borough – I look forward to continuing to work closely with businesses to help strengthen what Croydon has to offer. 

Capping the Cost of Pet Prescriptions  

My dog, Loki, was delighted with the news that the Government is capping the cost of pet prescriptions! 

Vet costs rose by 63% between 2016 and 2023, and an investigation found some pet owners were being overcharged for common prescriptions. Now, they will pay a maximum of £21 for their first prescription and £12.50 for any other medicines within the same consultation.  

We are a nation of animal lovers – I’m delighted the Government is making it more affordable to care for our furry friends. 

Visit to Bethlem Royal Hospital and Bethlem Gallery 

I paid a visit to Bethlem Royal Hospital (managed by South London and Maudsley NHS), a mental health hospital providing care and support to patients across Croydon and beyond. I was impressed by the dedication of the team and the importance of the work they do every day. Mental health services are vital to our communities, and I will continue to support efforts to ensure people in Croydon have access to the services they need. 

I also visited The Bethlem Gallery and Museum, which offers incredible insight into the history and science of mental illness in the UK, as well as exhibiting some brilliant works by hugely talented artists. If you haven’t paid a visit yet, put it to the top of your list! They are open Wednesday to Saturday, 09:30–17:00. You can also support local artists by becoming a Friend of Bethlem Gallery. 

New National Centre Launched to Lead Fight Against Knife Crime 

The Government has launched a new National Knife Crime Centre, as part of our plan to halve knife crime within a decade. It was a pleasure to attend the launch this spring with some incredible members of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime.  

Working with Residents to Tackle Fly‑Tipping and Improve Local Spaces 

It was great to meet with the Holmesdale Residents’ Association to discuss key community issues, including fly-tipping; the upkeep of shared spaces; the impact of Crystal Palace stadium; and the local community garden. Thank you to everyone who came along and shared their views. I’ll continue working with residents and pushing Croydon Council to help improve and maintain the local area. 

An Evening with the Croydon Crocuses WI 

I recently spent a delightful evening with the Croydon Crocuses WI – Croydon women coming together to socialise, learn new skills and get creative. If you’re interested in getting involved, you can find out more here: https://surrey.thewi.org.uk/about-us    

Protecting Children from Violence In and Around Schools 

No child should fear walking to school. We have removed over 63,000 knives and weapons off our streets since July 2024 – but we must go further to tackle the causes of violence. 

With the right support, the right opportunities and the right interventions in the right places, we can prevent harm long before a young person finds themselves in danger. As part of our Safety In and Around Schools Partnership launch, I visited The Howard School to see how their work with students is protecting young lives. I joined Martin Cosser Founder of Charlie’s Promise, an organisation doing amazing work in the fight against knife crime. 

Croydon Innovation Helping Patients Across the UK and Beyond 

It was brilliant to look around RDi’s Croydon facility and see first-hand how innovation right here in our borough is supporting patients in the UK and around the world. 

Honouring Stephen Lawrence by Supporting the Next Generation 

I joined the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation with the King’s Trust to mark the day in memory of Stephen. I met with some incredible young people who talked to me about the policy changes they want to see. The Foundation honours a life tragically lost by creating opportunities for future young people. It is building a proud and lasting legacy in Stephen’s name. 

Meeting with Croydon Neighbourhood Watch 

Croydon Neighbourhood Watch does great work across the borough to help tackle crime and support local communities. Find out more about what they do and how you can get involved here: https://www.cbnwa.com 

Protecting Communities While Protecting Free Speech 

We are scrapping the inefficient policing of non-crime hate incidents. But we will never tolerate hate in this country, and police will continue to treat hate seriously, investigate crimes and monitor tensions. All incidents will be triaged by trained hate crime specialists, making sure those affected by hatred get the support they need. The new system will still keep communities safe while protecting free speech and freeing up police time.  

Honouring the Courage and Dedication of Police Officers 

It was great to attend the London Police Bravery Awards this spring, surrounded by officers and staff whose courage and commitment embody the very best of policing. Events like this highlight the split-second decisions, personal risk and quiet determination that define policing.