Waddon councillors (from left) Joy Prince, Robert Canning and Andrew Pelling worked with the council and police for traffic calming on Imperial Way. The scheme has now been nominated for an award. Photography: LEE TOWNSEND
An initiative by ward councillors working with local police in Croydon South has been declared “top of the pops”, after deadly street racing has been halted through collaborations with businesses off the Purley Way.
The loud and rowdy Friday night “Croydon Cruise” of dozens of cars and motor bikes parading and racing along Imperial Way and on the roads of the industrial estate nearby regularly attracted large crowds. But it also brought complaints and raised safety concerns, with one crash in July 2016 leading to the death of a young father.
Labour councillors in Waddon ward lobbied the council – the roads off the Purley Way are a Town Hall responsibility – and worked with the police on a course of action which saw Croydon break a 10-year embargo on speed humps and go to the High Court to be granted a three-year legal injunction covering Imperial Way, Pegasus Road and Lysander Road. To date, there hasn’t been one breach of the injunction.
This initiative has seen Croydon Council shortlisted as a finalist for this year’s Problem Orientated Partnership – or POP – Awards.
The Borough Commander, Jeff Boothe, said: “The September 2016 ruling granted police greater enforcement powers to stop the high-speed car cruising events and prevent further anti-social behaviour.
Jeff Boothe: confidence
“The partnership adopted has stopped the street racing, and restored peace to the community, increasing community confidence.”
The awards seek to credit good partnership work between the police and communities to reduce crime and disorder.
One of the Waddon councillors, Andrew Pelling, said, “I attended the court hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice after witnessing the dangerous cruise activities and talking to local businesses, who were in fear for themselves and their customers.
“I am pleased that the council listened to the concerns that were raised and made such an effort in going to court and in introducing the speed bumps. The injunction has been effective.”
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