There has been a lot going on this September, both locally and in Parliament. 

Nationally, I’ve spoken out against the intimidating and thuggish behaviour we saw at the anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth and Dover, and continued the work to halve knife crime in a decade, tackle county lines gangs and antisocial behaviour. This month I signed legislation which will bring Respect Orders into force in October, giving police and councils much stronger powers to tackle persistent antisocial behaviour. There was also a welcome announcement on new specialist courts being rolled out for victims of rape and sexual offences, prioritising their cases and cutting the delays survivors face. 

Closer to home, I held my first drop-in surgery at IKEA Purley Way, catching up with constituents about everything from housing to antisocial behaviour. Five new breakfast clubs have launched at Croydon West primaries this September, and I was delighted to see the new Soul-Full Community Hub open its doors on George Street. 

You can read more below about what I’ve been working on. As always, if you need help or want to raise an issue, please get in touch at [email protected]. 

News 

First Surgery at IKEA Purley Way 

I hosted my first drop-in surgery at IKEA in Purley Way! 

Huge thanks to the brilliant IKEA team and all the constituents who stopped by – great chats about all things Croydon West and what residents want to see in their borough. 

I will continue hosting coffee mornings and surgeries, writing to residents to invite them, in all wards. If you’d like to come to a future one, email me at [email protected]. 

No Place for Violence and Intimidation 

The disorder we saw at the anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth and Dover earlier this month was intimidating and thuggish. 

Peaceful protest is a fundamental part of our democracy, and it must be defended. But so too is the right of other citizens to go about their lives without undue interference – and there can be no excuse for threatening behaviour or serious disruption. 

Watch my video here: https://x.com/LabourSJ/status/2097274425267695639?s=20 

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm5y7rw74n09t 

New Specialist Courts for Victims of Sexual Offences 

Labour is transforming how the justice system treats victims of sexual offences with specialist rape courts to be rolled out across the country. 

Andy Burnham has announced that victims of rape and sexual offences will get the justice they deserve, as their cases take priority and new specialist courts are rolled out across England and Wales. Every Crown Court will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases, helping hold more perpetrators to account and reducing the time victims have to wait for justice. 

This action builds on Labour’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, which has so far included pledging £1 billion to support victims, placing domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms and rolling out new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to provide victims with further protection. 

Halving Knife Crime 

Knife crime is down 11% since the General Election. But we won’t stop there. This Government is investing in policing and tackling the causes of crime as we work to halve knife crime in a decade. Watch my video here: https://x.com/LabourSJ/status/2100991356122333662?s=20 

Breaking the Grip of County Lines Gangs 

In 2025-26, the police have shut down nearly 3,000 county lines gangs and made over 7,000 arrests. 

This government will not let up in its mission to halve knife crime within a decade, break the grip of county lines gangs and make our communities safer. 

More Rights for Family Bereavement and Pregnancy Loss 

Suffering a bereavement or the loss of a pregnancy is one of the most painful experiences a family can go through. But for too long, people have had to fight for the opportunity to grieve. 

Labour is changing things – with new legal rights to allow you to take the time you need to deal with loss. 

5 New Breakfast Clubs Launch at Croydon West Primaries 

Five new breakfast clubs have launched at Croydon West primaries this September, with families saving up to £450 and 95 hours in childcare a year. 

Casework Wins 

I have received over 5,745 casework enquiries in the last two months. 40% were housing related, 15% were related to local government, and 8% were transport issues. 

Housing and homelessness remain the largest portion of my casework, with over-crowded accommodation and service charge increases being some of the main concerns. 

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

• Supported a family facing homelessness, including a mother with two children, and helped them find appropriate accommodation. 

• Secured £1,616 compensation from the council over a complex disrepair enquiry. 

• Helped an elderly lady who was struggling to get access to her NatWest bank account – resolved in four days. 

• Secured £300 compensation for a gentleman experiencing severe delays with the DVLA. 

• Supported a young mother and her new-born baby with suitable accommodation. 

Standing Up Against Admiral Court Charge Increases 

Thank you to all the residents who have written to me expressing concerns about the increase in charges from Admiral Court. I know what a hugely challenging ordeal this has been, and I am so sorry residents have had to go through it. 

Local councillors Ellily Ponnuthurai, Rowenna Davis and Sam Attwater and I have written to Admiral Court calling on them to pause the increase in bills until they meet with us to discuss why these extra charges are happening. 

I appreciate how stressful this has been for everyone involved – as soon as I am able to provide an update, I will be back in touch. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] and keep me up to date with your individual enquiry. 

Raising Concerns Over CALAT Rent Increase 

I have followed up with the council asking about the consultation on CALAT and I have also been in contact with UCU to establish whether staff and the union have been properly consulted on the proposed changes. 

CALAT provides vital ESOL and language courses for local residents and is currently based in council-owned premises in the town centre. The council has reportedly nearly doubled CALAT’s rent, and I want to ensure that staff, students and trade union representatives have been fully consulted before any decisions are made or changes are implemented. 

Championing Justice for British Hostages 

What a privilege to meet Anoosheh Ashoori, who was held captive in Iran. I can recommend the exhibition documenting his journey, which is held in the Croydon Clocktower cafe and has been organised by Croydon Amnesty International. 

I really welcome the appointment of Alistair Burt as the UK’s first ever envoy for complex consular cases – he will make a real difference. 

A Lovely Fundraiser with Lovely People 

I hosted a lovely fundraiser with lovely people! Huge thanks to Jonathan Reynolds MP for coming along, and all the members who showed their support! 

On the Doors in South Norwood 

It was lovely to meet residents on the doors in South Norwood with Cllr Melanie Felten and the local Labour team. Great conversations and lots of casework picked up. 

If you or someone you know needs help, do email me at [email protected] and I will help wherever I can. 

Taking Action for West Thornton Residents 

More conversations and action on the doorstep with residents in West Thornton. I’ll be writing to Betfred about some grim antisocial behaviour that’s been reported – residents of Wharfedale Gardens deserve better. Local councillors have been hugely active in this ward. 

MOSAKTION Unveiled at Holmesdale Community Garden 

I was delighted to join residents at Holmesdale Community Garden for the unveiling of MOSAKTION, a beautiful mosaic created by residents and artists who transformed discarded materials into a lasting piece of art for South Norwood. 

A huge thank you to Norwood JunKAction, mosaic artist Corin Ashleigh Brown, Stanley Arts, Holmesdale Community Garden and everyone involved in making it happen. 

Cheering on Croydon Women’s FC 

It was fantastic to see so much local support for Croydon Women’s FC in their Women’s FA Cup match. All home matches are free to attend, so come along and support the team this season!  

Visiting SHiFT in Manchester 

I visited SHiFT in Manchester with Jake Richards and Josh MacAlister. SHiFT is a charity working to break destructive cycles of crime for vulnerable young people. Lots of discussion to take forwards around how services can work better together.  

Watch my video here: https://x.com/LabourSJ/status/2102035739617726956?s=20 

Cracking Down on Knife-Crime Hotspots 

Targeted crackdowns have reduced knife robberies in seven forces by almost a quarter since Labour took office. 

Now, Labour is rolling out a new programme to target over 230 high knife-crime hotspots. These areas will see extra police patrols, surveillance technology and prevention measures. 

Speaking at the Police Superintendents’ Conference 

It was a pleasure to speak at the Police Superintendents’ conference. 

One year on, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together. Knife crime down, thousands more neighbourhood police and major reforms to policing underway. 

Much more to do. Much more to come.