Croydon's opposition has pledged to hold the re-elected Mayor, Jason Perry, to account, promising a robust and challenging opposition
while also seeking avenues for collaboration. The Labour Group, led by Councillor Stuart King, stated their intention to ensure Labour values are applied to the decisions we can influence
and to not hesitate to use our voices and our votes at every occasion necessary to ensure the council cleans up our neighbourhoods, makes our streets safer and brings renewal to our town centre.
Mayor Perry delivered his annual statement on May 27, 2026, outlining his priorities for the next four years. These include a focus on cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods, visible enforcement, thriving district centres, and improved parks and public spaces. He emphasised a zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime, with increased enforcement activity and the launch of a new rogues gallery
website within the first 100 days of his new term.
Mayor Perry has set a zero tolerance approach to fly tipping, anti-social behaviour, graffiti, abandoned vehicles and environmental crime.
To support this, the council issued 321 fixed penalty notices for environmental offences between April 2025 and March 2026, with an additional 42 notices issued in April of this year alone. Furthermore, crime statistics show a significant reduction in recent years, with knife crime falling by 24%, personal robbery by 29%, and burglaries by 19% since 2023. Antisocial behaviour reports in the town centre have also decreased by 24% over the past three years, contributing to an overall 4.1% reduction in crime in the last year.
The rogues gallery
website, set to launch in the first 100 days, will allow residents to report offenders and upload evidence to help identify and name those damaging the borough. The criteria for inclusion appear to be individuals caught committing environmental offences, such as fly-tipping, with the implication being they will be publicly identified.
Councillor King congratulated Mayor Perry on his re-election, acknowledging the resilience required in closely fought elections. He elaborated on the Labour Group's approach, stating they would use our role on scrutiny on the shadow cabinet and in our workers' board champions to make the case for the improvements our residents want, deserve and voted for us to deliver.
He added that the group would aim to achieve maximum impact by working with the Mayor, but would not hesitate to use our voices and our votes at every occasion necessary
to ensure the council puts people first.
Councillor King also highlighted opportunities for cross-party collaboration, stating, I hope that will continue, and I will certainly do my best as the leader of the opposition to act in a cross-party way as far as that is possible.
He reiterated the Labour Group's commitment to working with the Mayor while remaining a strong voice for residents.
Mayor Perry also detailed plans for district centres and public spaces. We are continuing to improve district centres across Croydon. Improving shopfronts, public spaces and supporting local businesses,
he said. Investment in parks and open spaces is also a priority, with plans to deliver four new playgrounds and four new outdoor gyms each year, including new facilities already opening at Selsdon Recreation Ground.
Mayor Perry indicated that the first 100 days of this new term will be about. Hitting the ground running and acting on what residents have told us matter most.
