A pathway in Woodside has become such a magnet for troublemakers and arsonists that Croydon Council has been urged to turn it into a recycling centre and put up CCTV.

People living near Goodhew Road and Hermitage Lane say they are fed-up with drug dealers descending on the alley between the two roads.

They have now called on the council to buy the land from its private owner and smarten it up again.

Neighbourhood Watch coordinators Michelle Farley and Jane Laye say people are reaching the end of their tether with persistent fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

Three weeks ago, firefighters were called out after thugs set fire to furniture which had been dumped in the alleyway.

Michelle, 29, said: "A lot of people use that alleyway, but at night it's not very well lit.

"We get a lot of people complaining about drug dealers, and in the last three weeks we've had a lot of people using mopeds down there.

"We've been talking to Croydon Council about this for years, we just want something done about it."

Michelle adds that Ashburton Park, or the Co-op in Addiscombe, are the nearest places where people in the area can drop off recycling. Eighty signatures have been collected on a petition calling for action.

Jane, 54, added: "As soon as it gets cleared up, people throw rubbish there again.

"Most people don't want to be stopped and asked if they want drugs, sometimes they even say they've got a needle ready for you.

"If it was cleared up they could put recycling bins in, and we've asked for CCTV cameras to be put up there."

The pair have raised the matter on a number of occasions with Councillor Gavin Barwell, who is responsible for safety and cohesion on Croydon Council.

Cllr Barwell said: "I've been in conversation with Jane for some time, and we need a medium-term solution.

"I can see the point about some sort of recycling resource. All I can really say is it's something I can look into."