I was delighted to be reappointed as Minister for Policing and Crime and to be able to get on with the job. It is a huge honour to work alongside extraordinary police officers, charities and community organisations that do so much to keep people safe. There is a major programme of reform to deliver, from tackling the epidemic of everyday crime and reducing knife crime to ensuring our police service is fit for the future, so people feel safer and have confidence that crime will be tackled. 

We are already seeing results. Knife crime is down by more than 10%, knife murders have fallen by 27%, and neighbourhood policing is being rebuilt, with officer numbers up 22% in the last year alone. From October, new Respect Orders will help crack down on persistent anti-social behaviour. While there is more work ahead, I am determined to keep delivering the changes needed to make Croydon and communities across the country safer. 

A particular highlight this month was hosting the Croydon Youth Jobs & Skills Fair alongside Natasha Irons MP. More than 300 young people attended to meet employers including Google, PwC and the NHS, explore opportunities and gain careers advice. As the youngest borough in London, helping young people access good jobs and training remains a key priority for me. 

I have also continued meeting residents, businesses and community organisations across Croydon, including through coffee mornings in wards across the constituency. Listening to local concerns helps shape the campaigns I take forward with councillors and local partners to secure improvements for Croydon West. 

Below is a snapshot of some of the work I’ve been doing over the past month. As always, if you have any concerns, ideas or issues you would like to raise with me, please get in touch at [email protected]. 

20% Business Rate Cut Boost for Croydon’s Pubs, Clubs and Music Venues 

Great news for Croydon. Labour is cutting business rates by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues. These local venues bring people together, support local jobs, and add to the character of Croydon. Watch my video here and read more about the announcement here. 

Over 300 Young People Join Our Youth Jobs & Skills Fair 

With Croydon home to the youngest population in London, I was delighted to host a Croydon Youth Jobs & Skills Fair alongside Natasha Irons MP, connecting over 300 young people with employers including Google, PwC and the NHS. It was wonderful to see so many young people exploring opportunities and gaining careers advice – we have so much talent here in Croydon! Watch my video here with some of the lovely young people who came along.  

Turning Coffee Morning Conversations into Action

One of the best parts of my job is getting out across the constituency and hearing directly from residents about the issues that matter to them. Over the past month, I have hosted coffee mornings in Broad Green, Bensham Manor, Woodside and Waddon, bringing together residents with brilliant Labour councillors, local police officers and community partners. 

Residents raised a wide range of issues, including community safety, anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, parking, public transport, local green spaces and community facilities. These conversations help shape the campaigns I take forward. 

Working with councillors and local partners, I raise these issues with the organisations responsible, bring the right people around the table and push for the improvements residents want to see. Thank you to everyone who came along and shared their views. 

Protecting Young People from Criminal Exploitation 

We are protecting the children exploited by criminals by shutting down county lines drugs networks. An estimated 840 stabbings have been prevented in our county lines crackdown. 

Calling for Action on a Safer Crossing at South Norwood Hill/Whitehorse Lane 

With Cllr Melanie Felten, I’m calling on Croydon Council for an update on the safety improvements promised for the South Norwood Hill/Whitehorse Lane crossing. Residents raised serious concerns, and the council committed to act. We now need a clear timeline for delivery. See my letter below to Jason Perry and sign our petition here.  

My Statement on the Sale of the Whitgift Centre to Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield 

The people of Croydon just want a town centre to be proud of. We have been promised one for over 10 years. I hope this sale will bring that development closer forward. I welcome the Foundation’s focus on their charitable aims, and the sale makes sense for them. Croydon needs to tell a new story, and the council should be bringing new investors to the table. Buying the freehold is a commitment by URW that I welcome – but I urge them to work at pace to deliver for Croydon.  

Backing Investment in the Croydon Flyover  

I’m supporting TfL’s bid for funding for the Croydon Flyover. The flyover carries around 40,000 vehicles per day, providing essential links across South London. Urgent investment is needed to support critical upgrades – the flyover needs to be fit to support Croydon well into the future.  

July Casework wins

I have received over 2,600 casework emails this month. 31% were housing related enquires, 16% were related to local government, and smaller numbers were related employment and transport issues. Housing and homelessness remain the most pressing issues. The enquiries I receive range from homeless enquiries through to leasehold casework.  

Some cases of note that I supported in the last month include:   

• Stepped in to support a homeless family, which included a mother with three children and helped them find appropriate accommodation.  

• Secured £500 compensation for an elderly lady who had no running hot water for five months.   

• A gentleman was struggling to get his driver’s license renewed, and I got it resolved within a week.   

• I helped secure safe accommodation for a mother and baby who were facing homelessness. 

Celebrating Soul-Full Community Hub in Croydon

With workshops, events and a welcoming community café, I was delighted to see the new Soul-Full Community Hub open its doors on George Street. It is already helping bring people together and creating a valuable new space for Black and Global Majority women to connect and learn in Croydon. 

Back at Legacy Youth Zone for Lidl’s Foodies Summer Programme

I loved being at Legacy Youth Zone for the launch of Lidl’s Foodies summer programme. Young people were learning about healthy eating, picking up new cooking skills, and even making smoothies by bike – which of course I had to try out!  

Bringing Residents and Crystal Palace FC Together 

I brought together local residents and Crystal Palace Football Club to discuss how the club can work more closely with our community. It was also an important opportunity for residents to raise any questions and concerns directly with the club. Very grateful to everyone who took part, and to CPFC for hosting us all. 

Pushing for a Cleaner South Norwood 

Residents have told me time and again about the littering, fly-tipping and poor cleanliness around Belgrave Car Park, Norwood Junction and the surrounding area. They are frustrated, and rightly so. After hearing these concerns, Councillor Melanie Felten and I pressed for a site visit with Croydon Council so officers could see the problems for themselves. We’re now calling for practical action, including better waste storage, CCTV, more frequent cleaning, jet washing, pest control and tougher enforcement against fly-tipping. South Norwood deserves cleaner, safer and more welcoming streets. We’ll keep pushing until we see real improvements.  

Support our campaign for a cleaner South Norwood and receive updates on our progress by signing our petition here. 

Progress on Retail Crime  

I recently visited Halfords to discuss the impact of retail crime and hear directly about what more can be done to keep staff and customers safe. It was encouraging to hear about the measures that are working well, while also discussing the challenges that remain. Shop theft has now fallen for a second consecutive period, dropping by 4% over the last year. Charges are up 19%, and almost one in four shop theft offences now leads to a charge. After years of neglect, progress is being made, but there is still more work to do. I’ll continue pushing for further improvements so businesses like Halfords feel properly protected. 

Helping Families with Lower Energy Bills 

I know that many families across Croydon are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living. That’s why I welcome the government’s decision to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from October. It’s a step that will help reduce energy costs and give households some extra breathing space as we head into winter. 

Celebrating the Work of Tamworth Community Hub 

Tamworth Community Hub is doing fantastic work for local residents. From digital support and a foodbank to activities for young people, free counselling and working with partners to make the estate safer, the hub is making a real difference every day. Thank you to Kelly and the team for the warm welcome and for everything you do to support our community.  

Hosting an Engaging Debate at Harris South Norwood Academy 

For School Culture Day at Harris South Norwood Academy, students were focussed on British values. I chaired a debate on whether freedom of speech is more important than protecting people from offensive language – students had some impressive ideas on both sides! 

Supporting Families Through Babyzone at Legacy Youth Zone 

Babyzone at Legacy Youth Zone is a fantastic free service for parents and carers with pre-school children. Running every Friday during term time from 9.30am to 2.30pm, Babyzone offers a range of activities and classes, including music and movement, toddler football, reading sessions and early maths activities. If you have a child under five, I would strongly encourage you to come along and see everything Babyzone has to offer. 

Recognising the Contribution of London Biggin Hill Airport 

London Biggin Hill Airport was formerly a Royal Air Force station, best-known for its crucial role during the Battle of Britain in the Second World War. Today, it’s the only dedicated business aviation airport in London, with over 70 companies employing more than 1,700 people from across the south east, including in Croydon.