by Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

Teenage campaigners have praised a massive drop in knife and youth violence across Croydon - but say there is still work to be done.

Since Operation "Safe for All" was launched in October last year there have been 61 fewer knife crime victims over a 13-week period compared to a year ago.

And there have been 31 fewer victims of youth violence.

Eliza Rebeiro, of the Lives Not Knives campaign, believes there will still be youngsters who don't appear in the statistics because they simply don't report crime against them.

But the 15-year-old said: "I think the police are doing well. There are more police on the streets which is causing youths not to be in big groups in Croydon.

"They've covered Central Croydon, but I think this needs to be broadened to the whole borough."

The operation has focused on the town centre and included initiatives such as the use of knife and gun arches, home visits to gang members and dispersing crowds of youths.

Officers on horseback were also seen patrolling in November.

Croydon teenager Ethan May interviewed Minister for Children, Young People and Families Beverley Hughes about street crime for online radio station Radiowaves on Wednesday.

He also believes more still needs to be done to steer youngsters away from violence.

The 17-year-old said: "One of the primary things that will make a difference is some sort of recreation centre.

"We need something for young people to do right now because they are bored.

"It's the boredom that gets to them."

The Advertiser revealed last month how Council and police teams now hold daily weapon sweeps near East Croydon station and West Croydon bus station because yobs are hiding them there to avoid being caught by the knife arches.

And around 40 knives were believed to have been found hidden in public spaces between October and December.

Describing the statistics, Acting Borough Commander Adrian Roberts, of Croydon police, said: "These figures show that Safe for All is having a strong impact in the borough and I am pleased with the results being achieved.

"But we are not complacent and acknowledge that there is still work to be done to continue to make Croydon a safer place to live, work and visit."

Ros Morgan, manager of Croydon BID, says a new police team in the town centre and Safe for All have resulted in the dramatic drop in crime.

She added: "Both initiatives demonstrate that a high level of 24 hour policing is the most direct and effective means of tackling crime in Croydon town centre."

* Meanwhile, Eliza revealed a Valentine's Ball for 14 to 18-year-olds is being held on Saturday February 13.

It has been organised at Airport House, Purley Way, in memory of Croydon youngsters who have died from violent crime.

Anybody interested in attending should e-mail livesnotknives@hotmail.com.