Council and democracy

Council launches nine more NEOs for a safer Croydon

Following a period of intensive training, the second tranche of Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers (NEOs) is ready to join up with Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) in Addiscombe, Broad Green, Coulsdon East, Coulsdon West, Heathfield, Purley, Selhurst, Thornton Heath and Woodside.

The nine new officers bring to 19 the number of NEOs helping to fight crime and the fear of crime in Croydon. A final 10 will be deployed in 2009, ensuring that every ward has its own NEO.

The council hopes that its investment in NEOs will help maintain the borough's trend in falling crime.

The borough's first 10 NEOs, deployed in October last year, have now completed their first six months of active duty within the community. They have been successful in tackling criminal activity, antisocial behaviour and environmental crimes such as graffiti, litter, trade waste and abandoned vehicles.

Fully integrated with the police SNTs, they provide a visible uniformed presence on Croydon's streets and have been helping to improve the quality of life for local people.

Councillor Steve O'Connell, cabinet member for safety and cohesion, said: "It has been a busy and successful six months for the first tranche of Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers and I'm delighted to announce that a further nine NEOs are now being deployed across the borough.

"The new officers will help strengthen our commitment and resolve to tackling antisocial behaviour and envirocrime in Croydon."

Borough Commander Chief Supt. Mark Gore said: "The introduction of the council-funded NEOs is already having an impact in helping our Safer Neighbourhood Teams drive down crime in Croydon."

"The new NEOs can only have the same positive impact. Once again the council and the police have demonstrated to residents our commitment to working together to ensure the borough's streets are safe for the vast majority of law-abiding citizens."