Croydon town security guards allegedly bullied dad in front of young son

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

New security guards patrolling the streets in Croydon town centre have been accused of “bullying” behaviour by one dad.

The Croydon Business Improvement District (BID) introduced a new Street Ranger team at the end of August with the aim of deterring crime and anti-social behaviour.

But earlier this month, one dad claims the rangers offered to fight someone in the town centre “down an alley”. He also claimed the staff bullied him in front of his young son when he challenged their actions.

The BID said it has now carried out a “full and thorough investigation” of the incident with “appropriate action taken”.

Johnny Dowling took to Twitter to complain about what he experienced. He said: “Walking down Croydon High Street and the uniformed ‘Bid Rangers’ are currently offering people fights and attempting to bully me in front of my eight-year-old son.

“Great ambassadors for what is already a disaster of a high street.”

In later posts he explained: “We were walking past and they started shouting at someone way up the street with the standard ‘come on then’ and shouting to meet them down the alley.

“This was happening while me and my son were walking in front. I pointed out that this is not what they are there for and doesn’t help.

“That was when they took offence and things escalated. Told me to walk on and get out of their business as it is nothing to do with me. I asked about their right and license but was then shadowed all the way up to central and followed in by one who then told me to ‘step outside’.”

The team of street rangers are expected to provide more than 8,000 hours of extra presence and uniformed patrolling in the town centre. The BID contracts the service out to SWL Security Services, which is approved by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

Matthew Sims, Croydon BID’s chief executive, said: “Croydon BID was notified of an incident on September 8, 2022. A full and thorough investigation of the incident has now been conducted and completed with appropriate action taken.

“The safety and security of all those that use the town centre remains a priority for Croydon BID as we look to work with partners in providing a reassuring and visible presence.”

Pictured top: The Croydon BID Rangers were introduced in Croydon on August 25 (Picture: Croydon BID)