London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
12 stories, newest first.
Berlin Grill in Purley has applied to extend its hot food service hours until 1am on weekdays and 2am on weekends. Residents have raised significant concerns about fumes, litter, noise, and late-night disruption, with the application being considered by Croydon Council on September 28.
Croydon Council has approved a licence extension allowing Admiral AGC to operate 24/7 at 6 Westow Hill, Upper Norwood. The decision faced opposition from residents and MPs across four London boroughs, who cited concerns over vulnerable individuals and potential crime.
Croydon Council is considering significant cuts to its council tax support scheme, potentially reducing discounts for disabled residents and single parents. The proposals aim to save between £3.6m and £12m annually as part of a 'Best Value' intervention.
Croydon Council is set to trial electronic tagging for repeat offenders later this year, aiming to deter shoplifting by monitoring their movements in restricted areas. The pilot follows a significant number of thefts in the town centre.
Croydon Council is facing criticism over hundreds of empty properties that are taking an average of 206 days to re-let. This comes as over 8,300 applicants are on the housing register and 3,269 households are in temporary accommodation.
Bensham Manor in Croydon saw over 8,700 fly-tipping reports between January and July 2026, with Brigstock Road being the most affected street. Despite these high numbers, Croydon Council issued only one fly-tipping-related fine in the previous financial year.
Croydon Council is set to end a 13-year period where town centre developers paid no Community Infrastructure Levy. New rates will apply to schemes of 10 homes or more, with smaller developments facing a higher charge.
A new chicken shop, Hot Birdies Ltd, has applied for a late-night refreshment licence in Norbury, Croydon, to open until 2am daily. Residents and local councillors are objecting, citing fears of increased noise, anti-social behaviour, and litter in an area already dense with takeaways.
A memorial cherry tree for a guide dog named Star in Norbury Park, Croydon, has been vandalised. The tree was planted nearly three years ago by Paul Harman, who is visually impaired. Croydon Council has committed to replacing the tree.

Residents of Love Lane, South Norwood, say a partially collapsed house at number 58 is damaging their street and their own property values. Croydon Council installed temporary supports after the frontage fell on 22 July 2025 but has not yet secured permanent repairs from the private owner.

Croydon Council will explore GPS-tagging persistent shoplifters after 4,796 reported thefts in the town centre in the last 12 months. Retailers, who say they often do not report incidents due to lack of police action, have welcomed the plans. A start date for the pilot is unclear, pending funding.
Croydon Council plans to trial GPS ankle tags for persistent shoplifters, banning them from the town centre. Nearly 4,800 thefts were reported in the last year. Funding is not yet confirmed, but the council says the scheme could deter repeat offences.
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.