West Croydon Police Make 171 Arrests in Major Crime Crackdown
West Croydon cops smashed crime with Operation Cleveland, a month-long blitz from 8 February to 7 March. They arrested 171 suspects, mostly for drug and weapon offences. The haul included 43 weapons – from zombie knives to Rambo-style blades.
Multi-Unit Task Force Targets Croydon Crime
The crackdown involved a host of specialist teams: Croydon Town Centre Team, Violence Suppression Unit, Broad Green and Fairfield Safer Neighbourhoods, Met Police Specials, Roads and Transport Policing Command, Police Dogs, and Mounted Branch. Their joint effort hit crime hard across the borough.
Zero Robberies Recorded Amid Heavy Police Presence
Acting Police Sergeant Russell Easterbrook, who led the operation, said: “We’ve been highly visible in the community with daily drug and weapon sweeps. Normally, West Croydon sees up to five robberies a week – but during this operation, there were none.”
He added that local residents, businesses, and community leaders were crucial, providing tip-offs and intelligence. “We were based at the CVA Centre on London Road and even found a cannabis stash after receiving a handwritten note from the public,” Easterbrook revealed.
Community Cheers Police Horses and Dogs on Patrol
The operation’s mounted police and sniffer dogs became local favourites. “The dogs in particular helped us uncover hidden knives and seize drugs, making West Croydon safer,” Easterbrook said.
Superintendent Andy Brittain praised the partnership between police and community: “This tremendous effort has brought fantastic results. We’re now working on leads to keep crime down and will maintain a strong police presence here.”
