I write regarding your front-page article (The laughing policemen? Croydon Guardian, May 17).

I would like to take this opportunity to point out that these recent serious allegations, as featured within your article, are currently subject to a full internal investigation.

At the conclusion of that investigation I will challenge and deal with this matter in the most appropriate manner, it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

I would like to reassure the community of Croydon that I am fully committed to ensuring that each and every one of my police officers, Police Community Support Officers and members of police staff provides the highest level of service and professionalism that the community expects of its local police.

We remain dedicated to reducing all crime in Croydon and street crime, such as robbery, is a priority crime, which we will continue to tackle.

I am aware of the impact all crimes have on victims and their families, it is therefore essential that officers responding and dealing with all incidents do so with the utmost sensitivity and respect to the person involved in order to minimise this impact.

Since I became borough commander in November last year I remain proud to lead such a dedicated and professional team.

Croydon is a large borough and offers many challenges for us as a police service. I am passionate that we constantly improve the level of service we offer to the local community to make Croydon the safest borough in London.

Every week I receive letters of appreciation and thanks for the work officers have done. Last week I held a commendation ceremony where I was able to honour some of those police officers, members of the local community and members of police staff for acts of professionalism and bravery during the course of their day-to-day work.

CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT MARK GORE
Croydon police