Croydon is actually one of the largest boroughs of London, but it is filled with criminals of all kinds. In fact, almost every part of Croydon is corrupt. It is one of the most violent areas of London and it has gotten worse over the course of time.
According to a report published in 2021, thousands of crimes and violent offenses have been committed in Croydon so far, with vehicle offenses being one of the most occurring offenses as more than 1600 offenses had been recorded till now.
Even after all these crimes, it is still an attractive place offering plenty of greeneries, parks, shopping malls, museums, well-known eateries, pubs, and much more. These attractions make tourists visit them quite often.
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How Dangerous Is Croydon?
Thousands of crimes and violent offenses have been committed in Croydon thus far, according to a report issued in 2021, with car violations being one of the most common, with over 1600 offenses registered to date.
Croydon is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous boroughs of London, hence crime levels are likely to be among the highest in the area.
Vehicle offenses, street crimes, sexual offenses, and violence are some of the most common crimes that occur almost every other day.
Croydon is one of London’s largest boroughs, but it is teeming with criminals of all types. It is one of London’s most violent neighborhoods, and it has only gotten worse over time.
Fairfield is one of Croydon’s most dangerous areas with a substantially higher crime rate than other parts of Croydon. It isn’t even safe during the day, imagine how unsafe it would be at night.
Crime Statistics in Croydon
Croydon is a London borough known for its diverse population and thriving economy. However, like any other urban area, Croydon experiences crime. This section will provide an overview of the crime statistics in Croydon based on available data.
Types of Crimes in Croydon
According to the CrimeRate website, the overall crime rate in Croydon in 2022 was 86 crimes per 1,000 people.
This is lower than the overall crime rate in London, which was 95 per 1,000 residents. The most common types of crimes in Croydon are:
- Violence and sexual offenses
- Theft and handling
- Criminal damage and arson
- Public order offenses
- Anti-social behavior
These types of crimes account for the majority of reported crimes in Croydon. However, it is important to note that there are other types of crimes that occur in the borough as well.
Comparison of Croydon Crime Rates to Other London Boroughs
According to the Metropolitan Police crime data dashboard, Croydon had a total of 34,530 incidents of crime in the year ending July 2022.
This is a 6.2% increase compared to the previous year. While this increase is concerning, it is worth noting that Croydon is still among the top 20 safest boroughs in London.
When compared to other London boroughs, Croydon’s crime rate is relatively low. For example, in the year ending July 2022, Westminster had a crime rate of 205 incidents per 1,000 people, while Hackney had a crime rate of 153 incidents per 1,000 people. In comparison, Croydon’s crime rate was 86 incidents per 1,000 people.
Overall, while Croydon does experience crime, it is important to keep in mind that the borough’s crime rate is lower than the overall crime rate in London, and is relatively low when compared to other London boroughs.
Factors Contributing to Crime in Croydon
Poverty and Unemployment
One of the factors contributing to crime in Croydon is poverty and unemployment. According to the Safer Croydon Community Safety Strategy 2017-2020, there is a correlation between areas of high deprivation and crime rates in Croydon.
The report also states that the trend for acquisitive crimes such as thefts and burglaries are significantly down, however, violent crimes are on the increase.
Unemployment can lead to poverty, which can increase the likelihood of people turning to illegal activities to make ends meet.
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Croydon increased from 12,400 in March 2020 to 17,000 in March 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics. This increase in unemployment may have contributed to the rise in crime in the area.
Gang Activity
Gang activity is another factor contributing to crime in Croydon.
The Safer Croydon Community Safety Strategy 2017-2020 identifies violence with injury (non-domestic abuse) as one of the additional priorities agreed with MOPAC for Croydon. Gangs may be responsible for some of the violent crimes in the area.
The Metropolitan Police has a dedicated gang unit that works to disrupt gang activity in the area. The unit works with partner agencies to provide support to young people who may be at risk of getting involved in gangs.
Drug Use and Addiction
Drug use and addiction can also contribute to crime in Croydon.
The number of drug-related deaths in Croydon increased from 32 in 2019 to 45 in 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics. Drug addiction can lead to people committing crimes to fund their addiction or to get drugs.
The Safer Croydon Community Safety Strategy 2017-2020 identifies anti-social behaviour (ASB) as one of the additional priorities agreed with MOPAC for Croydon. Drug use and addiction can contribute to ASB in the area.
Measures Taken to Address Crime in Croydon
Police Initiatives
The Metropolitan Police has implemented a number of initiatives to address crime in Croydon. One such initiative is Operation Cleveland, which was launched in 2019 to tackle violent crime and drug-related offences in the borough.
The operation involves increased police presence, stop and search operations, and targeted intelligence-led raids.
In addition, the police have also established the Croydon Safer Neighbourhood Board, which brings together local residents, businesses, and community groups to work with the police to identify and address local crime concerns.
The board meets regularly to discuss crime trends and develop strategies to improve community safety.
Community Programs
Community programs have also been established to address crime in Croydon. One such program is the Croydon Youth Offending Service, which works with young people who have committed crimes or are at risk of offending.
The service provides support and guidance to help young people turn their lives around and avoid a life of crime.
Another program is the Croydon Community Against Trafficking (CCAT), which aims to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery in the borough.
CCAT works with local businesses, community groups, and residents to identify and report suspected cases of trafficking and to support victims of trafficking.
Government Policies
The government has also implemented policies to address crime in Croydon. One such policy is the Serious Violence Strategy, which was launched in 2018 to tackle the root causes of violent crime.
The strategy includes measures to increase police powers, improve intelligence sharing, and provide support to young people at risk of offending.
In addition, the government has also established the Safer Streets Fund, which provides funding to local authorities to improve the safety of public spaces.
Croydon was awarded £500,000 from the fund in 2020 to install new street lighting and CCTV cameras in high crime areas.
Is Croydon a Good Area To Live?
Living in Croydon can be very challenging and dangerous for a lot of people. The place is filled with criminals of all kinds and there is homelessness, drug addictions, and other such bad habits devouring the place.
If you look past these offenses, you will discover a place that has plenty of nice things to offer. Even after all of these crimes, it remains a beautiful area with an abundance of greenery, parks, shopping malls, museums, well-known cafés, bars, and other attractions. Tourists flock to these sights on a regular basis.
If you talk about transportation links, they are quite good. The trains are good and can take you to your destinations in a really short amount of time, saving quite a lot of money. Even if the trains are late, there are plenty of them available, so you won’t have any problem finding one for yourself.
Also, the food is great. There are plenty of nice restaurants, cafes, and pubs available for you to enjoy your favorite meal and drink.
Since there are many shopping malls present in Croydon, it is considered a great place to purchase things. Surprisingly, the shops are improving, even if the condition of this area is deteriorating.
If you have a car of your own, you can discover the place thoroughly and may come across a lot of green parks, cinemas, museums, etc.
What attracts tourists the most is the large green parks in Croydon. These include Wandall park, which is extremely attractive and large.
Though there are a lot of criminals devouring this place, there are plenty of nice people residing within Croydon. These kind and loving people are probably the reason why this area is still functioning. There are many peasant people that are far more likely to strike up a conversation with complete strangers.
What Is The Roughest Part Of Croydon?
According to a research published in 2021, Croydon has seen thousands of crimes and violent offenses, with car violations being one of the most common, with over 1600 incidents recorded to date. Its crime rate is higher than the national average.
There are also many sexual offences, street crimes, and violent crimes that have been reported in many areas of Croydon. Theft is the next most common crime, with over a thousand cases reported thus far.
The roughest and most dangerous part of Croydon is Fairfield according to many police reports. Many theft incidents, sexual offenses, and drug offenses have occurred in this area so far this year. The area is not safe at night as you may come across burglars and drug addicts around this time.
The second most dangerous part of Croydon to live in is Broad Green, but it has witnessed fewer crimes than Fairfield, with only a hundred offenses, while burglary is the most common crime reported thus far.
The third roughest part of Croydon is West Thornton. The place is filled with violent people and there have been a hundred violent offenses reported this year. This is followed by many theft incidents, drug-related crimes, and sexual offenses.
Finally, Waddon is considered one of the most dangerous and corrupt places in Croydon. Hundreds of automobile offenses, violent incidents, aggravated assaults, and rapes have been reported in this area according to many police reports.
Is East Croydon Dangerous?
East Croydon is not the most hazardous area. Despite having the highest number of crimes in recent years in other parts of Croydon, East Croydon is only the third most dangerous place in the borough.
The place has improved significantly over the years, but you would still want to be careful while going out at night when there are only a few people around. Even though it is less dangerous than other parts of the borough, there are still many offenses being reported daily.
On the whole, for many people, living in Croydon may be difficult and hazardous as homelessness, drug addictions, and other bad habits have devoured the place.
Thousands of crimes and violent offenses have been committed in Croydon thus far, according to a report issued in 2021, with car violations being one of the most common, with over 1600 offenses registered to date.
Even after all these crimes, it is still an attractive place offering plenty of greeneries, parks, shopping malls, museums, well-known eateries, pubs, and much more. These attractions make tourists visit them quite often.